Kevin Washington, former president of the Greater Boston YMCA, is scheduled to take on the job of chief executive of the national YMCA. Washington will be the first African-American to hold the position.
Washington, a South Philadelphia native who grew up attending the Y, was unsure of whether he even wanted to apply for the recreation company’s top position. He reflected on all the progress he had made as the first Black American to lead the Greater Boston Y and knew that even more could be done at his location. Washington had already proved to be a miracle-worker by lowering membership fees and increasing membership by more that 40,000 households in four years, which significantly increased the company’s revenue. He also found funding to build a center for high school kids to earn credit for courses they had failed, which resulted in one local school having 15 additional graduates in 2014.
But Washington knew he could also accomplish a great deal by overseeing the sites across the nation. So, a few days after the deadline, he turned in his application. In September, Washington beat out 100 applicants to win the job as CEO.
Over the years, Washington has made tremendous feats at several locations within the company. He first worked at the Y in his hometown, then Chicago, Hartford, and finally Boston. Washington has never failed to shake things up and take chances, while improving his respective facility for those in need around the community.
Hope Aldrich, a YMCA director, told The Boston Globe that Washington “is somebody who would make a bet and take a step outside what the comfort zone would be for some leaders.”
And Washington plans to take that daring attitude for which he is known all the way to Chicago, when he officially begins his new position in February.
“I don’t think the missions are different,” he said. “We’re talking about strengthening the fabric of community. People in Wisconsin have health issues too, they have youth development issues. Young people, regardless of where they grow up, are at risk.”
Washington says being selected for the job shows that the Y is becoming more committed to diversifying. The number of Black chief executives was seven out of 70 in 2004, but is now up to 10.
Outside of creating a more diverse organization, Washington plans to create a major diabetes campaign and expand an academic program that involved 1,000 students last summer to reach an astounding 1 million kids.
After Washington really gets his feet wet, he hopes the Y will be viewed as more than just “gym and swim” facilities.