Pictured: Caption: Honoree Dr. Harriet Moore pictured with Bill Sadlo and student Nazaria.

For nearly two decades, the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and Desoto Counties has hosted the Leadership Breakfast, an event where the community gathers to honor individuals who have been instrumental in empowering youth to achieve great futures. On the early morning of September 6th, at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club, philanthropic leaders, students, and staff came together to celebrate Dr. Harriet Moore, Director of Strategic Engagement at Sarasota County Schools, and Jack Cox, President and Owner of Halfacre Construction Company. The gym, typically filled with bouncing basketballs and the sound of tennis shoes running from wall to wall, was transformed with tablecloths, centerpieces, and a stage with a podium, ready for the event to begin. As the event started, chatter filled the building, as students spoke with leaders within their own community and friends caught up with one another. The morning became so much more than a commemoration; it was a chance for the community to come together.

Before the gym filled with community leaders, the teens participated in an activity to prepare them for the world of networking they were about to enter. With exercises in eye contact, handshakes, and elevator speeches, the teen staff ensured that the participants were ready to embark on this networking journey. The Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and Desoto Counties prides itself on “enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.” This morning, it was evident how important the continued success of our young people is to both the Boys & Girls Club and the community in attendance. We heard voices such as Lisa Carlton, a former House Representative and Senator, Bill Sadlo, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and Desoto Counties, and current high school students making great strides in their careers. Club alumna Margot Andrich noted, “It was at my Club that I found myself, found my voice, and where I continue to return. I am forever grateful to be a Club kid.”

Sarasota continues to thrive as leaders unite to empower our youth. This morning, in this gym, we did more than just commemorate the efforts of Jack Cox and Dr. Harriet Moore—we celebrated the students, alumni, non-profits, Club staff, and community leaders present. The power of partnership shone brightly this morning and continues to fuel the greatness Sarasota has to offer.

Pictured: Caption: Honoree Dr. Harriet Moore pictured with Bill Sadlo and student Nazaria.