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Steak n’ Burger has a long and wonderful history. One that simply started as a way to bring the youth (formerly known as the Boys Club), donors, sponsors, and volunteers together for a shared meal.

In 1972 J.W. “Bill” Brakebill did exactly that and decided that for one night the Club kids would feast on steak while the adults ate hamburgers. The goal was to bring together different cultures, ages, religions, ideals, and ethnicities to get each group to understand and appreciate what the other brought to the table. Thus, Steak n’ Burger was formed from the ideas of a few founding Boys & Girls Clubs staff members.

These visionaries knew that if they could get the supporters to pay for a seat at the table they would recognize the immediacy and social responsibility with which they needed to raise funds to keep the doors open to the Club helping these kids in their community. That is exactly what they did in 1972 and continue to do to this day.

With growing recognition and increased funding from supporters, the annual Steak N’ Burger event became so successful that the idea spread across the nation to Clubs from Florida to California, and from Michigan to Texas. Today, it is one of the most recognizable Boys & Girls Clubs events.

Our legacy is so much more than an event, a speaker, an evening, a dinner. It’s the spark in the mind of a child to be greater than they could have imagined. These kids not only get to see a professional speaker, but they will also see our BGCM Youth of the Year speak, bringing into perspective that what they once imagined 5 minutes ago with you, forms into action and possibility with the BGCM Youth of the Year speech. In one night, what was once thought impossible, can turn a young mind to possible.

The Annual Steak n’ Burger was so successful that it began to attract notoriety from other clubs across the nation. The idea caught on quickly and many Clubs today have adopted the fundraiser.

Generous supporters like you recognize that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis (BGCM) is a tangible investment by purchasing burgers...tens of thousands of them. For more than four decades, this event has raised over $6 million, helping to support thousands of youth annually in Memphis.

Tonight, we come together as a community to celebrate diversity and the limitless potential of Memphis’ youth.

Great Futures Start Here.

In 1958 a group of young men met in the home of John (Buddy) Thomason determined to find a way to mentor boys in their community. Their commitment to their mission led to the founding of The Phoenix Club, an organization of young up-and-coming leaders in the community, brought together for the purpose of raising funds to support a Club for young boys.

The group chose to invest in a nationally recognized organization, the Boys Club of America (BGCA). They secured the needed funds, selected the old Memphis Mounted Police Station on Barksdale as the site and hired Jim Carlile as the first Executive Director. In 1962 the Barksdale Boys Club opened its doors to 120 young Memphians and the rest as they say, is history.

In the face of great need many new branches of the Boys Club sprang up in the community, first the Goodwill Boys Club in 1967, followed by The Dixie Homes Club in 1969. The Boys Club continued to grow, adding Camp Phoenix in 1972, the Vollintine Club in 1973 and replacing the Barksdale Branch with the Ira Samelson Jr. Branch in 1979. Though the Vollintine Club is now known as the John Dustin Buckman Branch, both of these Clubs are open today and serve hundreds of kids every week. In 1990 the Southside Boys Club became the fifth branch of the Memphis Boys Club, which now serves hundreds of kids across the city.

The year 1996 was a year of change for the Boys Club. Jim Carlile, stepped down as the President and CEO after more than 30 years of leadership. The end of one era marked the beginning of another as the Board appointed Brad Baumgardner the second President and CEO of the organization. In a fundamental shift, the Boys Club transitioned to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, opening our doors to all the kids of Memphis to become a safe and positive place for all.

In 2000, the organization embarked on an aggressive Capital/Endowment Campaign to renovate, construct and establish new Clubs and the state-of-the-art Technical Training Center (TTC). The TTC opened in 2006 and stands as a blueprint for workforce development facilities across the United States. The staff has trained and placed hundreds of kids in local jobs and higher education, once again marking the foresight of our local leadership.

In September of 2006, the Hickory Hill Boys & Girls Club opened and quickly grew to 500 members strong. Now boasting six local Clubs, one Technical Training Center and a resident summer camp, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis served more than 3,000 kids but the need was still great. Brad Baumgardner stepped down and Vinny Borello became the new President and CEO in 2009. In his first year, BGCM established the Sycamore View Branch as the first “partner site.”

In January of 2011, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis lost Bernal E. Smith Sr., a cornerstone of the organization. Smith was recognized for his years of selfless service by being inducted into the Boys & Girls Clubs Tennessee Alliance Hall of Fame. 2012 marked the Boys & Girls Clubs 50th Anniversary and we celebrated by opening the Oakhaven Branch and serving more than 3,000 members in our six branches.

Now under the leadership of CEO Keith Blanchard, our organization is forming new strategic partnerships to help our members reach their full potential. More than 1,000 kids every day have a better chance at Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles and Good Character and Citizenship because of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.

Chair

Year Speaker

Sam Hollis

Irby Cooper

Judd Williford

Davant Latham

Billy Schaffer

Jerrold Graber

Bill Vaughan

Frank Gianotti

Ebbie Lemaster

Tim Malkin

Mike Sheahan

Gus Denton

Chip Dudley

Bruce Hopkins

Mike Weeks

Barney Rolfes

Larry Papasan

Julian Philips

Dick Cowan

Bayard Snowden

Ben Adams, Jr.

Tom Wright

George Falls

Butch Faber

Butch Faber , Bill Hecht, Tom Wright

Winfield Dunn

Bill Battle

Hank Aaron

Larry Czonka

Bud Wilkinson

Jesse Owens

Al McGuire

Lamar Alexander

Lou Holtz

Jerry Clower

Jim Lovell

Brooks Robinson

Lou Brock

Terry Bradshaw

Danny White

Frank Broyles

Lamar Alexander

Paul Tudor Jones

Roosevelt Grier

Reggie White

Willie Davis

Don Hutson

Drew Brown

Archie Manning

Henry Winkler

Year Speaker Chair

R. Fisher

T. Stephenson

M. Thompson

J. McGehee

Mike McManus

John Golwen

Ham Smythe, IV

Paulo Teixeira

Phil Stevenson

Kris Whitson

Randy McKnight

W. Ray Brakebill

Roy Bell, III

Ellen Grimes

Tinamarie Sauter

Tinamarie Sauter

Trip Spear

Trip Spear

Joe Carney

Andre Mathis

Michael Keeney

Michael Keeney

Todd Photopulos

Phil Stevenson

Louis Jehl

Tammy LoCascio

Bianca Sweeten

Caroline Doherty

Dave Winfield

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Kyle Rote, Jr.

Tee Martin

John Calipari

Robin Roberts

Lee Corso

Tommy West

A.C. Wharton

Peyton Manning

Hermon Boone

Dominique Dawes

Michael Oher & Leigh Anne Tuohy

OJ Mayo

Nick Saban

Rudy Gay

Bobby Bowden

Jay Martin

Richard Monantez

Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway

Butch Jones

Mike Norvell

Barrett Jones

Ryan Silverfield

Mayor Jim Strickland

Melissa Harville-Lebron

In September of 1955, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis is unofficially proposed at a meeting of nine young men at the home of John “Buddy” Thomason.

The Phoenix Club is formed.

The first Boys Club of Memphis is opened in April at 189 South Barksdale under the leadership of Jim Carlile.

J. W. “Bill” Brakebill proposes the first Steak n’ Burger Dinner, a concept that spreads to Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.

Camp Phoenix opens for the first summer of serving kids.

In fall of 1973, Vollintine Branch of the Boys Club of Memphis opens.

The Ira Samelson, Jr. Branch opens in an abandoned YMCA building at 894 Isabelle.

The Barksdale Club becomes the Central BGCM Office.

Vollintine Club is renamed after John Dustin Buckman.

Four kids attend the RAGBRAI, bike trip across Iowa.

The Boys Club of Memphis opens its fifth site, Southside Branch.

Jim Carlile retires after leading the organization for 30 years. Jim McCalla and Bernal Smith Sr. serve as interim directors. Brad Baumgardner is named the second President/CEO of the Boys Club of Memphis.

The Boys Club of Memphis follows Boys & Girls Club of America’s lead and becomes the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis (BGCM).

Boys & Girls Club of Memphis embarks on an aggressive campaign to renovate, construct and establish new clubs and build a state-of-the-art technical training center. With overwhelming support from the community, the campaign is a huge success.

The Hickory Hill Branch opens within a year, membership grows to more than 500 youth.

The Technical Training Center opens offering classes in culinary arts, logistics and distribution programs for youth ages 16 to 21. This facility elevates BGCM by making it the only Club in the country that offers such a high caliber of services.

Vinny Borello is hired as the third President and CEO in the history of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.

The Sycamore View Branch is established as the first partner site shared with the Sycamore View Church of Christ.

Bernal Smith passed away and was named to the Boys & Girls Clubs Tennessee Alliance Hall of Fame.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis turns 50.

Oakhaven Branch opens.

2014

2016

2020

2021

2022

Keith Blanchard is hired as the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.

First Club site inside Shelby County School opened

50th Anniversary of Camp Phoenix

50th Anniversary Steak n’ Burger Dinner

Awarded 3-year, 9 Million dollar contract with the City of Memphis & Shelby County Schools to open 10 new Club sites

Vice President of Operations

Vice President of Resource Development & External Affairs

Vice President of Workforce Development

Director of Human Resources

Director of Philanthropy

Data Manager

Database Manager & Administrative Assistant

Accounting Assistant Payroll & Accounts Payable

Gwendolyn Woods

Rachel Reddin

James Moore

Amy Jones

Katie Sweeney

Sam Brackens

Melodie Moore

Lydia Goodwin

Grant Accountant Catrina Berryhill

Front Desk Receptionist Sheila Hopson

Dear BGCM Friends,

We are so grateful you have joined us to celebrate our annual Steak n’ Burger event, our largest and longest-running fundraiser! More than 5,000 Club members count on the support from Steak n’ Burger each year to fund the programs they participate in. We see the impact you make on our BGCM members every day:

• 100 percent of seniors graduate, and 100 percent of those go on to college, get a job, or join the military.

• 81 percent of BGCM members show an increase in homework completion.

• Membership has grown to over 5,500 across 20 Club sites.

• 89% of BGCM members said they feel their Club provides them an emotionally and physically safe, fun, encouraging, and positive environment versus 73% nationally.

BGCM provides a safe place for our members to learn and grow and gives them opportunity and hope for the future. With your support, we are changing the lives of kids throughout Memphis. Thanks again for being here, supporting the mission of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, and making a difference in the lives of our members and their families.

August 9-13th, 2023

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The will to make a difference starts with a desire to see the need. At First Horizon, we’re proud to support the Boys & Girls Clubs because they never stop looking for ways to serve Greater Memphis. It’s vision that lifts individuals and transforms our community –one need at a time.

“At the Hickory NC Boys & Girls Club! I was a small 13 year old but what I lacked in height I made up for in ambition! This place nurtured that and saved my life!”

Damien Horne is a soulful union of musical history. He’s a boundaryobliterating singer/songwriter whose artistry unites R&B; melodies, catchy pop hooks, and distinctive elements of hip-hop, soul, and rock to change the atmosphere of contemporary music with a uniquely uplifting message. Damien was raised in Hickory, North Carolina by a single mother and is one of twelve children. He began his musical journey at age eleven singing in his local Salvation Army Church. Damien was soon competing in local talent shows and performing in a traveling production of Godspell. After high school graduation (first male on both sides of his family to do so), he got on a greyhound bus and followed his musical dreams to Hollywood. He soon found himself homeless. It was a beginning that leads most men to destruction. It led Damien to redemption when he was rescued by The Covenant House. A year and a half later, he found himself back in North Carolina, this time, with a band, Stellar Tree. Eventually, Damien and his band relocated to Nashville. One evening playing for tips on Nashville’s historic 2nd Avenue, Damien crossed paths with John Rich. Rich invited Damien to perform at MuzikMafia, the Nashville-based artist collaborative-turned-phenomenon that yielded multiplatinum recording artists Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson. Damien’s mission to promote greatness in all genres without prejudice. Damien music career and worked towards a college degree. His poetic lyrics like rain against my skin” secured him a publishing deal with Big Love He earned an Associates degree from Free Will Baptist Bible College ordained minister. Through Damien’s relationship with MuzikMafia, talents and high-energy performance style have earned him opportunities to open for and perform with artists from every genre; Robert Randolph, John Cruz, Kid Rock, the Neville Brothers, Bon Jovi, Velvet Revolver, Shemekia Copeland, Hank Williams Jr., Dwight Yoakam, Robinella, Bettye Lavette, Keith Urban and more, all while remaining true to his inimitable style. He has just completed his first full-length album, produced by Big Kenny of Big and Rich. When asked about the project Big Kenny offered, “I have never met a more important artist for our times, completely real, unique, deserving and uplifting. I cannot stop until the world hears his music. He writes, he sings, he plays piano and guitar, he dances like “the man” and you know it when he backflips off the stage in a way that would make James Brown proud.”

BNSF Railway supports Great Futures at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis.

Your hard work is building futures.

We recognize the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis for their commitment to children. Their dedication is an inspiration to us all.

Jairus Kendall will be representing Youth of the Year, for the Sycamore View Boys & Girls Club. Jairus is a Junior at Kingsbury High School. He maintains a 3.1 G.P.A. Jairus has attended the Sycamore View Club for 5 years. He enjoys welding and would very much like to pursue a career in that field for his future. At Sycamore View, Jairus enjoys Passport to Manhood and Street Smarts. Jairus also enjoys helping the younger youth with homework and participate in peer interactions amongst other club members. After graduation, he plans to attend Belmont University and study Engineering or pursue a career in Welding.

Tamia Jones is an intelligent and talented gifted African American teen who strives to encourage her friends, giving them advice to help stray away from becoming a statistic in today’s world. Tamia is a sixteenyear-old sophomore scholar that attends Overton High School. She participates with volleyball and is apart of the Varsity cheer team. Tamia enjoys dancing, reading, doing hair, crocheting, shopping, playing volleyball, cheering, and spending time with family and friends. Tamia is a member of The Dynamic Diamonds community majorette dance team where she holds the captain title for four years now. Tamia wants to attend Southern University.

Tamia Jones

My name is Jada Lloyd, I am a sophomore at Craigmont High School. I have been coming to the Craigmont Club for 2 years now. I first attended a Boys and Girls Club in kindergarten in MS. My family relocated to Memphis, where I was accepted in the optional programs at SCS. I attended Brownsville Road Elementary & Craigmont Middle School. I am currently the historian for CHS Student Council & volunteer at different elementary schools doing community services: festivals, art projects, and tutoring students. After I graduate college, I aspire to be in real estate or continue my education to become a lawyer.

Jada Lloyd

Xavier Coleman is a 16-year-old Junior at Oakhaven High and our Youth of the Year. He has been a member for three years and is very active in all Club activities. He is the older brother to three sisters, the youngest is all of 1 month old. He sees himself as the protector of his sisters and is always helping them and their friends. His future goal is to become a barber.

My name is Toni Walter, and I am 17 years old. I am a senior at Kirby High. My favorite subjects are Math and Social Studies. My favorite colors are pink and purple. Those colors are near and dear to me because they were my late sister’s favorite color. I have attended the Boys and Girls Club for several years now. I absolutely love the energy at the Bernal E. Smith Club. Every day, I have my ups and downs, but I know Mr. Jeffery and Ms. Shelby can put a smile on my face. I am the sixth child out of the ten siblings. My sister and I have been in foster care for a year. My situation is what inspires me to help others. My aunt is a traveling nurse and I always looked up to her for that. After high school, I plan to attend Southwest Community College to major in Nursing and then attend Jackson State University to get my BSN.

Toni Walter

College Choice: Christian Brothers University

Fatou Diallo is a 16-year-old Junior at Bartlett High School with a 4.2 GPA. Fatou is the only child to her parents who moved from Senegal, West Africa when she was only four years old. Fatou has been a member of the Ira Samelson Jr. Boys & Girls Club for two years now. When Fatou is at the club, she enjoys anything sports related. Triple play is definitely one of Fatou’s favorites. She also enjoys Team Building activities. Fatou is very passionate about helping others. She likes to help staff whenever she can by passing out lunch or helping assist with the smaller club members. She credits the Boys & Girls Club with helping her during a difficult time in her life. She has built lifelong bonds with people she could relate to and share common interest.

Fatou believes in constantly challenging herself. She plans to study Psychology at Christian Brothers University, which will be a challenge in itself. However, she is up for it and will not stop trying to reach that goal and beyond. Fatou feels her time with the Boys & Girl Clubs has inspired her and hopes what she has learned will help her significantly change people’s lives.

In Fatou’s speech, she stated “I still remember the first day I walked into Boys & Girls Club when I was 14 years old and school was out for the summer. Due to the fact that I’m an only child, I am very bad at socializing and I don’t get out of the house much. I didn’t want to have a boring summer so I asked my cousin to put me in the Boys & Girls club. I wanted not only to have a good summer, but also to meet and make new friends, develop my social skills, and strengthen my leadership skills. I wanted to build these skills especially because I would be starting high school that August. Boys & Girls club is where I strengthened my social skills, met different people, built unforgettable relationships, and learned to understand the hardships of others and consider them. My first couple of days at the summer camp, I was so nervous and I would just stay to myself. The staff encouraged me to socialize with the other kids and to participate in the activities with the other kids. I remember the staff having us play a fun ice breaker game called the name motion game. This activity helped not only me but other teens also. We did many fun activities such as: playing basketball, date smart, and chef club that made it easier for me to get used to the new people around me. As I grew closer and more united with everyone, I felt so happy and loved. The club became my happy place.” As the 2023 Youth of the Year winner, she was awarded the Irby Cooper Scholarship $1,000 toward the college of her choice.