Our History
1939
On March 16, Mrs. Mamie Dowd Walker, Judge Juvenile Court of Durham, requested Durham Committee on Negro Affairs solve the dilemma of juvenile delinquency.
On May 13, a temporary organization of Boys Club was formed.
1940
On April 6, the name of the Club, John Avery Boys Club was selected by a unanimous vote.
On June 22, Articles of Incorporation were approved by the North Carolina Secretary.
1943
On January 2, John Avery Boys Club Inc. became a participating agency of the Durham Community Fund, Inc. (United Way)
1944
On December 13, John Avery Boys Club, Inc. became a member of The Boys Club of America.
1953
Operation of 15th year commenced and plans and blueprints were completed for the construction of a new building.
1955
Ground breaking for the new Club at 506 Branch Street took place. Six hundred people pledged contributions of labor machines, materials, professional services and cash towards the erection of the new building.
1959
The 20th Anniversary of the founding of the John Avery Boys Club, Inc. On October 25, a dedication ceremony was held at 506 Branch Street.
1967
The John Avery Boys Club, Inc. brought in the year with a record 893 members. The Club was forced to vacate the Branch Street building by the Redevelopment Commission of the City of Durham and temporarily relocated to 2525 Fayetteville Street.
1970
Plans were initiated for the erection of a new building on the corner of Grant and Pettigrew Streets.
1972
The Club moved to its new and current location at 808 East Pettigrew Street with a lot of 5 acres and 13,783 feet.
1986
The basement of the Club was completed to expand programming to include female membership.
1990
Name of the Club was officially changed from John Avery Boys Club, Inc. to John Avery Boys & Girls Club, Inc.
1995
William J. Kennedy, Jr. and Charlotte K. Sloan Endowment Fund established.
1996
Dr. LeRoy T. Walker Endowment Fund established.
1997
On June 11, the following dedications occurred:
The Club was officially named Lee W. Smith, Jr. Complex
The Boardroom was named Kennedy-Sloan Boardroom in honor of William J. Kennedy, Jr. and Charlotte K. Sloan
The gymnasium was named Dr. LeRoy T. Walker Gymnasium
The arts and crafts center was named William L. Boykin, Sr.
2005
On July 15, the Club held its 1st annual Golf Fore Kids Tournament at the Preserve at Jordan Lake Golf Club in Chapel Hill, NC. Funds raised assisted the club in expanding its after-school program.
2007
John Avery Boys & Girls Club receives the Triangle United Way’s Best Campaign by a Member Agency Award!
2009
JABGC Celebrates 70 years of service to the Durham Community!
2015
John Avery Boys & Girls Club changes its name to Boys & Girls Club of Greater Durham.
2016
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Durham moves location of the teen program to the Durham Teen Center near Lyons Park. BGCGD announces acquisition of small Chapel Hill Club residing at Northside Elementary.
2017
Name is officially changed in January to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties (BGCDOC).
2018
BGCDOC’s Chapel Hill location becomes two, creating clubs located at two housing developments.
2020
At the start of the New Year, the Durham Club moves to a brand new location on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.