Casting for a Cause: The 37th Annual Irwin Food City Bass Tournament is Back!
February 13, 2026
Every February, the halls of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley are filled with the names of giants. Our members study the courage of Rosa Parks, the brilliance of George Washington Carver, and the soaring oratory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
But this year, our celebrations went deeper. From hand-painted banners to “living museums” and tributes to our own staff, our members showed us that Black history isn’t just a chapter in a book—it is a living, breathing legacy.
Vestal Club: Research, Art, and Advocacy
At our Vestal Club, Black History Month was a journey of discovery led entirely by our members. Our 3rd through 10th-grade students stepped into the role of historians, each selecting a significant Black figure to research. After diving deep into these legacies, they designed custom commemorative posters and took the stage to teach their peers about the impact these icons made on the world.
Even our youngest members made their mark. Our K–2nd grade students focused on the power of their own voices. After learning about the importance of Black history from our staff, they created a collaborative handprint banner—a beautiful, colorful representation of what the month means to them: unity, strength, and a bright future.
Montgomery Village: History Comes to Life
Montgomery Village Club hosted a celebration that brought the entire community together. We were honored to welcome families, educators, and elected officials to witness a night of pure excellence.
The energy was electric, featuring a moving vocal performance by Karen Nolan, high-energy stepping from the brothers of Omega Psi Phi, and powerful words from guest speakers Jenae Easterly Anderson and Terry McDaniel.
The true stars, however, were the Club members. After weeks of diligent research and creating display boards, they took the stage dressed as the influential Black figures they studied. Seeing our youth literally step into the shoes of history’s greatest leaders was a moment of immense pride for everyone in the room.
The Heroes in the Hallway: Honoring Our Own
While many members across our Clubs chose to profile world-renowned icons, a special group of youth decided to honor the heroes they see every single day. They looked toward the office doors, the gym floors, and the learning centers of our own Clubs and said, “I want to tell your story.”
Our members delivered moving biographical tributes to our very own staff members:
- Markus Jackson, COO
- Kierra Jones, VP of Program Services
- Kevin Ransom, Montgomery Village Club Director
- Dr. Polly Johnson, Director of Education and Workforce Development
There is a unique kind of bravery in standing before your community to give a speech. But there is a unique kind of love in choosing to give that speech about the mentor who is sitting in the front row.
A Living Legacy
Whether they were researching the past at Vestal, portraying leaders at Montgomery Village, or honoring staff members across our organization, our kids see the impact. They feel the care. They recognize the leadership.
To our staff: Thank you for being the kind of leaders who inspire the next generation to pick up a microphone. To our members: Thank you for reminding us that heroes don’t always wear capes—sometimes, they’re the ones opening the Club doors every afternoon.
At Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, we aren’t just studying history. Together, we are building it.
