Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take," says Sean Miller, the dynamic President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond (BGCMR). This familiar motto, shared by his high school basketball coach, has become a guiding principle in his life, business, and leadership.

Sean’s career in youth development began in high school when he served as a summer tutor for elementary school students. His journey has included work with Richmond Public Schools, the Department of Parks and Recreation for the Cities of Suffolk and Chesapeake, and progressively responsible roles within BGCMR.

“A big part of why I come to work every day and what keeps me motivated is that I benefited from having great coaches, teachers, and mentors as a kid. And that’s what the Boys & Girls Clubs offer.”

BGCMR has five strategically located clubs: two in the east end, a club operated at MLK Middle School, and a recently added Teen & Community Center; one club each in northside and southside Richmond; and one club in Petersburg, operated out of Vernon Johns Middle School. Last year, BGCMR provided programs to more than 900 club members, ranging in age from 10 to 23. 

The TowneBank Foundation contributed a multi-year grant that helped BGCMR purchase and renovate the former Eastlawn Shopping Center in Creighton Court and turn it into a teen and community center. “TowneBank made a generous gift to our Creating New Statistics campaign, and it was paramount to supporting the creation of the teen center,” explains Sean. “We actually switched our banking over to TowneBank quite a few years ago and we’ve enjoyed working with Chad Harcum. He’s been a huge supporter of the organization since day one. It’s been a wonderful experience getting to know him and staying connected.”

The 16,000 square-foot teen center that opened in 2021 offers an auditorium that seats 80 people and can be used for performing and visual arts, town hall meetings, and job fairs, as well as a 25-person home theater, space to support art classes, a podcast/recording studio, huddle spaces for homework, counseling, college prep training, and more. 

BGCMR's mission has evolved over the years. While initially focused on elementary school students, it now supports middle school and high school students and young alumni. “Our programs focus on workforce readiness and social-emotional learning. We are creating opportunities for our youth to identify their strengths, explore career fields, gain hands-on experience, and sharpen their technical and life skills,” says Sean.

Partnerships with the community help introduce possible career paths. “It’s about getting kids exposed to careers,” Sean continues. “We offered a multi-week healthcare careers program that allowed 15-20 kids to actually go to the hospital and meet with doctors and nurses. They ended up learning that just within the hospital system, you have many other fields you could work in, like HVAC and hospitality. These kids were exposed to various careers they probably didn’t even know existed.”

The Teen & Community Center opened in June of 2023 and features foosball, virtual reality games, a pool table, and space to hang out with friends. 

Equally important is educating the community about BGCMR's role in helping teens and young adults facing the toughest of odds, beat those odds and lead happier, healthier, more productive lives. “Seventy years ago, this organization started out of a need and with the commitment of the Richmond community, and the community has continued to support us at a dynamic rate.”

“It’s all about relationships. It’s about exposure to opportunities and it’s about setting high expectations,” explains Sean. “I’m a product of what I experienced as a kid, and I am now in that cycle of paying it forward. The most important thing is identifying that kids need support. Families need support. And we’re here to develop that untapped talent and serve as a partner in their journey.”

To learn more about the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, visit BGCMR.org.