The Hon. Antonio Villaraigosa Los Angeles, California When Antonio Villaraigosa attended the Variety Boys Club in Los Angeles, no one could have imagined he’d one day become the city’s 41st mayor. The oldest of four children raised by a single mother, Antonio attended UCLA and the People’s College of Law. In 1994, he was elected to the California State Assembly, becoming speaker four years later. After serving on the Los Angeles City Council, he was elected mayor in 2005 – becoming the city’s first Latino mayor in more than a century. Skilled at coalitionbuilding, Mayor Villaraigosa emphasizes finding solutions to the major issues facing Los Angeles, including education, transportation, public safety and economic development.
Mark Wahlberg
Dorchester, Massachusetts Actor and musician Mark Wahlberg has seen his share of success, starring in such films as A Perfect Storm, Three Kings, Rock Star and Planet of the Apes. But the talented artist remembers where he got his start: at the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys & Girls Club. There he found the guidance and support of program director Mike Joyce. Wahlberg continues to be involved with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, supporting national initiatives and working with the TEENSupreme® Keystone program. He also established the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation to improve the quality of life for inner city youth through partnerships with other youth organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs.
Bill Walton
San Diego, California An alumnus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego, NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton is legendary for both playing and sportscasting. After achieving fame at UCLA, Walton joined the Portland Trailblazers as the NBA’s number one overall draft pick in 1974. He remained with the Blazers until 1979, later playing with the San Diego Clippers, the relocated Los Angeles Clippers, and the Boston Celtics until his 1988 retirement. Named one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players of all time, the Emmy award-winning sports analyst remains active in basketball. He has broadcast for several networks and the NBA, and in 2002 was hired as the lead analyst for ESPN/ABC’s NBA coverage.