Angela B. Winston, Director of Development for Challengers Boys & Girls Club
Serving the Boys & Girls Club across Generations

By Michele Banares

Like the Kennedy’s, Angela B. Winston’s family has a legacy of service. Their legacy of service is serving the children and youth of America through the Boys & Girls Club.

In 1966, Angela’s father, Carl P. Wood, became the founding executive director of the Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club in St. Louis, Missouri and served there until his retirement 20 years later. As the current Director of Development for the Challengers Boys & Girls Club in Los Angeles, serving the Boys and Girls Club was a call to service.

“I have in my heart to serve the Boys & Girls Club. It’s my calling,” said Angela. Angela has more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. However, she did not initially start off in the sector as her father had.

A graduate of the University of Missouri, School of Journalism, Angela majored in Journalism and minored in Public Relations. After graduation, Angela began a successful career in broadcasting and eventually relocated to Los Angeles to raise her family.

In Los Angeles, Angela began her 20 year career in the nonprofit sector. First working for Loyola Marymount University in Public Relations and then ten years as Vice President of Communications and Program Development for Pacific Coast Regional Small Business Development Corporation. In these roles, Angela refined her development skills.

“With all the nonprofits I worked for, I dealt with grant writing, fundraising events and different aspects of development,” said Angela.

Later, Angela applied her development skills in her position as Senior Director of Marketing & Fund Development at the Los Angeles Urban League and decided to pursue her MBA in nonprofit management. Later, Angela decided to switch sectors to pursue a state government contract position with the Expo Light Rail Project.

“With the state being in a funding crisis, my government contract did not renew and I began my job search,” said Angela.

Angela searched for about 6 months and finally found her dream job as Development Director of the Challengers Boys & Girls Club on Opportunity Knocks.

“I saw the job posting on Opportunity Knocks and knew the board president. Working in the nonprofit sector for a number of years, you tend to know people and develop strong networks,” said Angela.

Legacy of Service
As it turns out, Angela and the Challengers Boys and Girls Club also had another connection. Just as the Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club was founded by Angela’s father, the Challengers Boys and Girls Club was also founded by Lou Dantzler. Lou founded the Challengers Boys and Girls Club in 1968 in South Central Los Angeles around the same time as the Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club.

“Being both founders of Boys & Girls Club around the same time, my father and Lou knew each other. There were a few of the first African American executive directors in the Boys & Girls Club movement,” Angela said.

Development Challenges
When asked what are some of the challenges she faced in her job search as a veteran development professional, Angela says that organizations want to know the magic number…How much money can you bring in?

“That is a hard question to answer, says Angela. Especially with the type of nonprofit organization you interview for. Some nonprofit sub sectors are easier to raise money for than others. Basically, employers want results and they want it fast.”

Although youth and homeless organizations are easier areas to raise funds for, Angela says she does have fiscal challenges, but there is still money out there.

“In particular, Los Angeles has major fiscal issues, but my funders are loyal and alternatives exist to traditional fundraising, says Angela.”

Right now, we are gearing up for holiday gifts for the 1,500 boys and girls we serve. Many companies who cannot give fiscally can give by providing goods or service for the children.
“Although the economy is bad, I don’t feel as if the children will be disappointed. The population that we serve is happy to receive whatever our generous donors give,” said Angela.

If you would like to help Angela provide holiday gifts for the 1,500 children and youth at Challengers Boys & Girls Club, e-mail her at awinston@cbgcla.org