Samuel S. Gray, Jr. is Vice President of the Northeast Region for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Gray assumes this role on September 3, 2024. Gray in his previous capacity was the president and Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford (BGCH). Promoted to this position in October of 2007, Gray was responsible for providing leadership for all aspects of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, which annually provides youth in Hartford with quality out of school time programming.Gray began his career with the Boys & Girls Clubs movement in 1991, serving as Program Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Richmond, VA. In his more than 32 years as a Boys & Girls Club Professional, Gray has worked in numerous program and management capacities in Richmond, Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Hartford, Connecticut. The Professional Association of Boys & Girls Clubs and Boys & Girls Clubs of America recently presented him with the 2023 Masters and Mentors award, the highest honor for career professionals within the youth empowerment organization. Presented annually, award recipients are selected based on one or more of the following: their contribution to Boys & Girls Clubs over a sustained period, successful mentorship of other Boys & Girls Club professionals, and/or demonstrated excellence in the Boys & Girls Clubs profession.Gray has been recognized by the Hartford Business Journal Power 50 in February 2021. In 2018, Gray was recognized by the Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches as one the 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut. Gray is a distinguished level management member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Academy of Boys & Girls Club Professionals. Gray has been associated with Boys & Girls Clubs since the age of eight. He believes that his journey as a club member to a youth development ambassador is a gift. He challenges youth to dream and exposes them to things they may not otherwise be exposed, to become productive, responsible, caring citizens in our community.Gray is currently a Board member of the Hartford Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. Gray also serves as a Board member for the Hartford Hospital Regional Board. Gray also serves as the Chairman for Jumoke Academy.