Shaquille O’Neal’s foundation turned a vacant building in Henry County, Georgia, into a thriving community hub. The Shaquille O’Neal Boys and Girls Club of Henry County opened in August 2021. It registered more than 400 young members within its first year of operation. That number signals serious local demand for safe, structured after-school spaces.
The project started as a three-year community engagement effort. The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation committed $1 million toward the initiative. The total renovation cost reached $1.1 million. The funds transformed the former Henry County Middle School in McDonough. The space now houses a learning centre, computer lab, arts and crafts room, music studio, and gym.
O’Neal has cited the Boys and Girls Club movement as a formative influence in his own life. He views the Georgia project as a direct extension of his personal history. The NBA Hall of Famer attended the club’s first-anniversary celebration in July 2022. He met with youth members, parents, and corporate supporters, including representatives from The Papa John’s Foundation for Building Community.
Local leadership drives the day-to-day operations. Jesse Coltrane serves as Executive Director. Jamal Jordan leads programming, while Breanna Varner oversees teen initiatives. David Jernigan, president and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, credited the team for igniting the potential of hundreds of local students. The club targets the critical gap in supervision and enrichment that occurs outside of school hours.
Boys and Girls Clubs of America, led by CEO Jim Clark, highlighted the project as a model for expansion. The organization plans to replicate this partnership approach in other underserved areas. Registration for the upcoming fall season is already open, with a specific focus on engaging teenagers in leadership and academic programs.