Back to where his career begin:
By Karriem Edwards
In 1968 the Boys Club of Broward opened a second club in the heart of the Sistrunk (aka Six Street) Corridor. The first in a Black neighborhood, the Northwest Boys Club was established on land acquired from the Catholic Diocese of Miami in the former church for local Black Catholics.
The gentleman who was selected to serve as the club’s first director was an Air Force Veteran, Howard University graduate and a man who had developed a reputation for building the lives of inner-city youth at the Boys Clubs of Newark, New Jersey.
This was a tumultuous time in America, especially Black communities. James O. Hill, Sr. and his wife Eva jumped in and dedicated themselves to the club kids. In fact, his wife went into labor with his second child Jim, Jr. while volunteering at the club. As a point of history, Mr. Levi Henry, Jr., founder of the Westside Gazette newspaper, delivered Mr. and Mrs. Hill to the club and then had to take Mrs. Hill to the hospital.
The club’s first member was Dexter Mattear. Only boys could join, but girls, including his young daughter Eva, were active in club’s functions including fashions shows, debate competitions and other things that drew kids to the club and sparked excitement.
Jim made such an impression on the community that it was not long before the City of Fort Lauderdale recruited his talent in 1970 and made him a city administrator, the first Black in city government where he remained for over 30 years.
He continued to be an advocate and supporter of the club. His sons would become employees and they would continue to attend and support events, but he would not return for fifty years.
On May 19th the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County welcomed Mr. Hill back to where his local journey began, the Northwest Club (now Nan Knox Boys & Girls Club) as a Staff Enrichment Speaker, to share his story.
Mr. Hill was accompanied by his wife, Eva, daughter Mrs. Eva Taylor, and son Dudley Hill who were all former staff and volunteers.
Upon arrival, the family was given a tour of the Nan Knox Club by staff member and former club member Miss Amaya. They also had a chance to meet current Youth of the Year Miss Donae. Mr. Hill said “Wow! What a great transition the Boys Clubs has made since I was Unit Director 50 years ago. I probably would never have left to join the City of Fort Lauderdale. I am very proud to have been associated with the history of such a great organization as this one, located in the city where I will always love its people and be proud to call my home. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward prepared me so well for my job with the city that spanned over 3 decades. It enabled me to be selected and honored by the city commission as the “exemplary Employee” of the City of Ft. Lauderdale for the year 1999, a memory I will always cherish”.
His family described Mr. Hill as having been a good father and a dedicated professional in all his work. “The family” as an “Institution”, has always been of great interest to him, his daughter stated. He wrote & published his first book about it. (Emancipation of Eight Generations, 2004). During his remarks, Mr. Hill expressed his greatest disappointment of not being accepted to attend the University of Texas at Austin in 1955 because of the color of his skin. He continues, however, to wear a Texas Longhorn cap daily as a reminder of one of dreams in life that never came true.
Jim earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard University in 1964, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University in 2000 and an honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Missouri University, Brooklyn New York.
He was recruited by the Boys Club of America right out of Howard and completed their basic training course at NYU on October 19, 1964, before deploying to the Newark Boys Club.
At the close of the of the meeting, Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner and Club alumnus, Robert McKinzie read a proclamation declaring June 21-25th as Boys & Girls Club Week in the City of Fort Lauderdale. McKinzie who was a member of the club during Mr. Hill’s tenure said “Jim Hill has left an indelible footprint on the Boys & Girls Club and this community”.
This Proclamation was in turn presented to Mr. Hill by the Boys & Girls Club in recognition and appreciation for the legendary role he played in laying the foundation for the growth and development of this organization, the City of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. Mr. Hill humbly accepted.
The BGC Staff also present Mrs. Hill with a BGC Lapel pin and Mr. Hill with an appreciation certificate, a lifetime membership card and a new Club Director shirt.
This recognition was appreciated and reciprocated by Mr. Hill donating and autographing a free copy of his book to all staff in attendance and donating a copy to each member of the club.
“Mr. Hill is an inspiration. His work in just two years at the club set high expectations for those who followed and it remains the gold standard. Whenever a former club kid speaks fondly of their club memories it’s usually tied to a staff member. Jim was that guy.” Karriem Edwards, VP of Development Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.
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