Alumni Spotlight: David Whitehead

For David Whitehead, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati wasn’t just a place to go after school. It was a foundation that helped shape the course of his life.

Born and raised in Cincinnati as the youngest of six, David grew up in a home filled with love and support. Both of his parents were present and deeply committed to their family. But like many working parents, they were often busy. The Club became the place where David and his siblings could go, not only to stay safe, but to grow.

A Safe Haven with Lasting Impact

David’s journey with the Club began at the Fleischmann Club (known today as the Dudley S. Taft Club) in Avondale, where he found much more than just a place to pass the time.

“It was a safe haven,” he recalls. “They helped us with homework, gave us a snack, and then it was time to play. But there was structure. You couldn’t get into the gym until your work was done.”

That simple expectation to handle responsibilities first, then enjoy the rewards left a lasting impression. It became a principle that David carried with him throughout school, college and into his professional life.

But beyond structure, it was the people who made the biggest difference.

Role Models Who Made It Real

David credits much of his development to the mentors he met at the Club like Richard Layson and his son, Richard Jr., who watched over him with consistency, discipline and care.

“They showed me what it meant to be a good man, a good father, a good husband,” David says. “They went beyond being just staff. They were powerful examples and role models.”

Even outside of programming, Club staff found ways to pour into members. Teachers, coaches and community members all played a role, often volunteering their time simply because they believed in the mission.

Brotherhood, Belonging and Opportunity

Through sports like basketball, football and even indoor soccer against other Clubs, David built friendships that have lasted decades. Today, more than 40 of those connections remain strong, both personally and professionally.

“We bonded like siblings,” he says. “You wanted the best for each other.”

Those experiences also opened doors to new perspectives. From competing against other Clubs to interacting with students from different backgrounds, David learned how to navigate relationships, build respect and find common ground.

Choosing a Path Forward

Growing up in Avondale, David was no stranger to the challenges that surrounded him. He understood early on that there were different paths he could take.

“My choices were to go down a path of criminality, or to become something more,” he says.

The Club helped make that choice clearer.

“It taught me responsibility. It taught me how to be a citizen, how to give back, how to be a leader.”

That sense of purpose carried him forward. David went on to play baseball at Cumberland College while also attending the University of Cincinnati, earning a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in math.

Building Success and Redefining It

Today, David has built an impressive professional career. He serves as a sales manager for Spectrum overseeing advertising teams across Cincinnati and Dayton, owns a tax service operating in multiple cities, and manages rental properties.

He also serves as President of the NAACP Cincinnati, continuing his commitment to advocacy and community leadership.

But for David, success has evolved.

“I chased money for a while, and it wasn’t fulfilling,” he says. “When I started focusing on helping others, that’s when I found real purpose again.”

Full Circle

Looking back, David sees a direct line from his time at the Club to where he is today.

“I remember walking through the snow, past drug dealers, chased by dogs, just to get there,” he says. “Because I knew what it was when I got inside. It was safe. It was positive. It was family.”

Even now, that sense of belonging stays with him.

“The Boys & Girls Club gave me more than a place to go,” David says. “It gave me direction. It gave me people. It gave me purpose.”

And like so many alumni, he carries that forward, working every day to make a difference in the same kind of community that helped shape him.