Hornets Support Boys and Girls Club to Uplift Youth

The NBA team works to connect with young fans through the community organization.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:21pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors, with energetic brushstrokes and dissolving forms that capture the raw emotion and dynamic movement of a basketball game.The Hornets' partnership with the Boys and Girls Club reflects the team's commitment to uplifting and empowering the next generation of young leaders in their community.Tarboro Today

The Charlotte Hornets have a strong connection to the Boys and Girls Club, with several team members being former 'Club Kids' themselves. The team supports the organization in hopes of encouraging today's youth to become the leaders of tomorrow and letting young people know that the Hornets believe in them.

Why it matters

The Hornets' partnership with the Boys and Girls Club reflects the team's commitment to positively impacting their local community, especially by supporting youth development programs that can make a meaningful difference in young people's lives.

The details

Several Hornets personnel, including coach Kemba Walker, team executive Shelly Cayette Weston, and Boys and Girls Clubs of America employee Tony Orr, have personal histories with the Boys and Girls Club. They spoke about how the organization was meaningful to them growing up and why supporting it is important to the team. The Hornets also highlighted 7-year-old social media star Coach Christopher Bess, who attends the Boys and Girls Club in Tarboro, North Carolina, as an example of the kind of youth the team hopes to encourage and uplift.

  • The Hornets' partnership with the Boys and Girls Club is an ongoing initiative.
  • The team will be featured in a special segment on Channel 9 at 7 p.m. on April 13, 2026.

The players

Kemba Walker

Charlotte Hornets head coach who grew up attending the Boys and Girls Club in New York.

Tony Orr

Employee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America who is also a former 'Club Kid.'

Shelly Cayette Weston

President of business operations for the Charlotte Hornets and a trustee for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Charlotte Region.

Christopher Bess

7-year-old social media star who coaches online and attends the Boys and Girls Club in Tarboro, North Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“All of us have one thing in common — and it's not our basketball skills. I grew up going to the Boys and Girls Club in my hometown. And now I sit on the board for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Charlotte Region.”

— Shelly Cayette Weston, President of business operations, Charlotte Hornets

“The team supports the organization in hopes to help encourage today's youth to become the leaders of tomorrow — and to tell young people that the team believes in them.”

— Kemba Walker, Head Coach, Charlotte Hornets

What’s next

The Hornets will be featured in a special segment on Channel 9 at 7 p.m. on April 13, 2026, providing a closer look at the team's partnership with the Boys and Girls Club.

The takeaway

The Hornets' deep connection to the Boys and Girls Club, both through personal histories and the team's ongoing support, demonstrates their commitment to positively impacting the lives of young people in their community and inspiring the next generation of leaders.