This Hall of Fame is a virtual museum celebrating the extraordinary youth, men and women who have made significant contributions to the Boys & Girls Club Movement in Mississippi.
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Each has helped raise the standards and level of professionalism in the Boys & Girls Club Movement, while inspiring and mentoring future generations, laying the ground work that encourages us all to strive for excellence in helping children who need us most.
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Inductees are announced at a dinner held at the annual TRIAD Area Council meeting in August.​
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Mission of the Mississippi Boys & Girls Clubs Hall of Fame:
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Honors the extraordinary achievements of Club members, board & program volunteers, professional staff, and community leaders - for their significant contributions to the Boys & Girls Club Movement.
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Educates target Georgia audiences on the mission, history, foundation of Boys & Girls club work, the youth development process, and the impact of Boys & Girls club on society.
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Inspires current and attracts future volunteers, board leaders, professionals, and investors by providing the standards by which great leaders and accomplishments are measured.
2024 Hall of Fame Inductees
Derwood R. Boyles
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi
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The first Jackson MS Boy’s Club was established by the Optimist Club and located on Hiawatha Street in the Battlefield Park neighborhood in 1937. Derwood Boyles was nine years old and lived about three blocks from the newly formed clubhouse. As many as 300 boys attended the early Boy’s Club, but Derwood was the fourth boy to “officially join.” He spent most of his free time there through high school as did his closest friends. The Club was open after school, on Saturdays and throughout the summer. It was a place to hang-out in a wholesome environment, play games, be with friends, and play sports. Derwood once the ping-pong champion and remained a good player throughout his life. When he was in the tenth grade he was on the Boy’s Club Basketball Team which challenged the Central High School Basketball “B” Team and won. The next year, the Boys Club boys were THE basketball team for Central High School. Derwood served as manager of that team. Derwood and many of his friends earned their Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts) award while a
member of the Boys Club. The friends he made on Hiawatha Street remained his good friends for life. The skills he learned there helped make him into the caring, community leader he became. Derwood was a life-long supporter of the Jackson Metropolitan Boys and Girls Clubs, served for many years on the Board and was President of the Board in 1973-1974. At age 83, he was the senior member of the Board, but still active. Derwood and his wife, Regina, hosted a fund-raiser for the Club at their home and worked with other fund raisers over the years. Derwood’s main purpose throughout his life was to help others and the Boys and Girls Clubs was one of the recipients of that objective.
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Zell Long
Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi
Zell Long is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi (BGCNMS), operating five Clubs in four counties (Lafayette, Lee, Tippah and Union), and served approximately 2,900 youths in 2019, more than 1,200 in 2020 during COVID, and approximately1,600 in 2023. She is a firm believer of the organization’s Mission Statement: To inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.
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Under her leadership, the BGCNMS Corporate Board of Directors, comprised of representation from the four counties, received the “High Performance Board Team Award” in 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 from the Mississippi Area Council. The Mississippi Area Council is comprised of Boys & Girls
Club Corporate Board members from throughout the state. Notable honors and recognitions she has received include: 2024 one of four city of Tupelo Oren Dunn Museum’s Black History Month Salutes awards; 2023 Distinguish Citizen Award and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Leadership Award from the Yocona Area Council, BSA; 2022 Jack Reed, Sr. Advocate for Education Award for her proven commitment to the Tupelo Public Schools and the Association for Excellence in Education through creative leadership; 2021 Community Service Award from the NAACP Lee County/Tupelo Branch; Rotarian of the Year in 2021 by the Rotary Club of Tupelo; Omega Mu Mu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Volunteer of the Year 2018 award; recognized for her Distinguished Services at the 2016 Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Southeast Conference, comprised of nine (9) states; 2016 NEWMS Woman of Distinction; 2014 received the “Professional of the Year” award for the entire state from the Mississippi Area Council of Boys & Girls Clubs, 2012 The Dream Lives On-First Among Black Women award; 2008 recipient of Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Medallion; 2007 recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Award by Committee for King; 2006 Mississippi Trailblazer Award; 2006 Best Woman in Lee County; nominated for 2006 Spirit of Women award; and 2004 “Woman of the Year” by March of Dimes.
Mike Moore
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta
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As the “TOP COP” of Mississippi state at that time, former attorney general Mike Moore recognized that an ounce of prevention is certainly better than a pound of cure.
Mike visited with several CEOs throughout the state at that time, including Lee Kerkley, former CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Gulf Coast. Mike recognized that Boys & Girls Clubs changed the lives of children in an impactive and positive way and through Mike’s vision and tenacity, set upon a journey to grow Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Mississippi. Mike formed a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and for three consecutive years, Mississippi was the fastest growing Boys & Girls Club State in the country.
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Through Mike’s efforts, thousands of children became members of their local organization, Mike did not stop there; he became the first board member and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the MS
of the MS Delta organization. Under Mike’s leadership, this organization flourished in one of the poorest regions in America and today, has nine sites located in the Delta. Mike served on the corporate board for over 10 years and is currently an honorary member and continues to serve as an Ambassador for the Delta organization.
Mr. Jewel Dorsey Rushing was born on Friday, May 13, 1921, in Magnolia, Mississippi to James and Louise Rushing. He was a lifelong resident of Pike County, Mississippi, and a longtime model community activist. Mr. Rushing died September 13, 2011, in Long Beach, Mississippi.
Mr. Rushing was married to his wife of 68 years, Doris Ward Rushing; who preceded him in death in 2010. He was also preceded in death by his parents.
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He was the father of two children J.D. Rushing, Jr., and Carole Rushing McKellar.
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Mr. Rushing was an entrepreneur, he owned and operated Rushing Body and Glass Shop until his retirement. He was a former member of South McComb Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of McComb, Mississippi.​
Jewel Rushing
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Mississippi
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Mr. Rushing lived his Christian ideals through service to his community. He was a veteran of WWII having served in the Coast Guard. He was the founder of The Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Mississippi in 1989 and counted the construction of the Club as one of his greatest accomplishments.
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Throughout his lifetime, due to his committed and dedicated services, he was selectively chosen and appointed to serve on organizations and businesses Board of Directors.
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He was always promoting McComb and Pike County, Mississippi. He was an ambassador for this area, involved in many things, and a rare individual who dedicated his life to supporting and helping the community in which he resided.
Keva Scott, ED.S., is an exceptional leader who has made a significant impact as the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast (BGCGC). With over 27 years of experience working with the Boys & Girls Clubs, she was able to reverse a decade-long deficit within her first year, and under her leadership, the organization grew, serving over 6,700 youth annually across six Gulf Coast locations.
Keva’s strategic thinking and visionary spirit have taken BGCGC to new heights. She initiated programs that increased youth membership, fundraising, and improved program efficiency, making the Club an essential community resource. Keva has shown exceptional leadership skills during
Keva Scott, Ed.S.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast
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difficult times, such as funding cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout her career, Keva has been a passionate advocate for at-risk youth, securing millions in grants and forming partnerships with over 150 organizations. Prior to joining BGCGC, Keva held
executive roles in Boys & Girls Clubs organizations in many states. She has honed her skills in operations, resource development, and leadership, and has left her mark on increased participation, quality programming, invigorated staff, growth in revenue, and strategic partnerships.
Keva is a distinguished alumna of Auburn University and Regent University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Human Capital Development at the University of Southern Mississippi and will graduate this year. Keva is dedicated to mentorship, workforce development, and social equity, and she epitomizes the transformative power of compassionate leadership and unwavering perseverance.
