For Immediate Release – April 2, 2026
Durham, NC — Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties (BGCDOC) wishes to express immense gratitude to Carl Brown and Sam DiFranco, Sr., for their dedicated terms of service on the BGCDOC Board of Directors. Their leadership, insight, and unwavering commitment to our mission have helped strengthen our organization and expand opportunities for the young people we serve. CEO Jerome Levisy shared: “Our organization is stronger because of both Carl and Sam’s steady leadership, their deep commitment to our mission, and their genuine care for the young people and families we serve. We are incredibly grateful for their service and the lasting impact they leave on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties.” While we will miss their presence on the Board, their impact will be felt for years to come.
At the same time, BGCDOC is excited to welcome Hanna Tieu as the newest member of the organization’s Board of Directors! Hanna brings a deep commitment to youth development and community impact, strengthening the organization’s mission to empower young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. “I am thrilled to welcome Hanna and to work with her on this exciting next chapter of growth for BGCDOC. Her passion for our mission, her strategic expertise, and her fresh perspective will be tremendous value-adds to the Board of Directors and to our organization’s position overall.”
Carl, Sam, and Hanna were all asked to share what service on the Clubs’ Board of Directors means to them — Hanna as an incoming Board member, and Carl and Sam as outgoing Board members. Their thoughtful responses are provided below.
Hanna Tieu
What excites you most about joining the BGCDOC Board of Directors and supporting the work of our Clubs?
I’m thrilled to be supporting the incredible work that the club does each day. The BGCDOC represents the best of what our communities can do when we come together, and what motivates me most is thinking about the light and joy that the children experience when they are at the Club. I’m excited about helping to grow the community of BGCDOC supporters that will ensure the Clubs thrive in both the near and long term. And I’m excited about continuing to grow the incredible programming that will equip the kids for a bright and fulfilling future.
As you think about the future, what is one thing you wish for our Club kids?
My wish is that each child feels nurtured, uplifted, and inspired during their time at the Club, both through the incredible efforts of the Clubs’ staff as well as the support of the broader community. I hope each child cultivates relationships and a feeling of connection that will help provide resilience in the face of challenges. And my hope is that each child feels surrounded by hope and possibilities for the future, and has the building blocks in place to reach their goals and potential!
Carl Brown
Looking back on your time on the Board, what accomplishment or moment are you most proud of?
When I reflect on my time on the Board, I feel especially proud of the work we did to stand up the Great Futures Breakfast. This accomplishment was very much a team effort, and it has been inspiring to watch the event grow into a gathering that brings Club members, business leaders, sponsors, and community members together for a shared purpose, lifting up our young people and supporting the summer camps that serve over 200 youth every year across both counties. Knowing that our collective efforts helped open doors for so many kids is something I will always be thankful for.
As you think about the future, what is one thing you wish for our Club kids?
My hope for our Club kids is simple: that they continue to feel seen, supported, and encouraged to dream beyond their current circumstances.
I also hope that Board members, businesses, donors, sponsors, local officials, and the broader community continue to step up, show up, and be champions for BGCDOC. The Clubs have the power to change the trajectory of a young person’s life, but that only happens when we surround them with the people and resources that help them grow.
Sam DiFranco, Sr.
Looking back on your time on the Board, what accomplishment or moment are you most proud of?
As you think about the future, what is one thing you wish for our Club kids?
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About Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties
Every day at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties (BGCDOC), hundreds of youth take the next step in their development journey toward building a great future. BGCDOC’s mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Tracing the youth development organization’s roots to its founding in Durham in 1939, the Clubs’ afterschool and summer camp programs have positively impacted thousands of local families. BGCDOC believes that when children have access to quality food, trusted adult mentors, a sense of belonging, and a safe “third place” (outside of home and school) that their parents can trust, they have a better opportunity to maximize their potential and thrive in life.