BGC Canada launched first-ever Alumni Hall of Fame
Inductees include NHL star Taylor Hall, prominent sportscaster Kayla Grey, internationally acclaimed child psychiatrist Dr. Jean Clinton and politician Art Eggleton.
BGC Canada (formerly Boys & Girls Clubs), Canada’s largest dedicated child and youth-serving organization, is pleased to announce the first inductees into our Alumni Hall of Fame. All inductees are former BGC Club kids who embody positive change and are leaders and role models in their communities. They were inducted on Friday, May 31 at a gala event hosted by beloved Canadian comedian Steve Patterson, host of CBC’s The Debaters. Patterson is also a former Club kid who knows the life-changing impact Clubs can have.
The 2024 Canadian inductees include alumni from professional fields ranging from media and sports to education and politics.
Meet our 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame Recipients
Art Eggleton, BGC Toronto Kiwanis
Art Eggleton has served the people of Canada and the City of Toronto in public office for over 45 years. Starting as a member of City Council in 1970, becoming Mayor of Toronto (1980-1991), a Member of Parliament (1993-2004), including a cabinet minister for 9 years, and a Member of the Canadian Senate from 2005 till retirement in 2018. He continues in community service with the Kiwanis Club of Toronto Foundation and BGC Toronto Kiwanis (formerly the Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club). On an international and national basis he serves as a Vice-President of Liberal International, and is President of its Canadian Group.
Current Club Involvement: Eggleton is an active Kiwanian and has been instrumental in merging the Cabbagetown Youth Centre with BGC Toronto Kiwanis. He now chairs their fundraising endeavour called the Opportunity Changes Everything Capital Campaign. The proceeds raised will help restore the Cabbagetown Youth Centre Clubhouse and re-establish important after school and summer day camp programs.
Dr. Jean Clinton, BGC Hamilton-Halton
Jean Clinton is a Clinical Professor at McMaster University, specializing in child psychiatry. Dr. Clinton has extensive experience in mental health programs and advocates for compassionate, competency-based education. Dr. Clinton collaborates with experts such as Dr. Bruce Perry and Michael Fullan, focusing on brain development and the crucial role that relationships, belonging, and connectedness play. She is involved in various advisory boards and has authored her first book, Love Builds Brains.
Current Club Involvement: Even though her schedule has her presenting across Canada and around the world, Dr. Clinton has always stayed connected to her Club by providing training for the staff in Hamilton and updating them on research on child development. She continues to provide effective advocacy for the Club in her dealings with each level of Government, and she regularly connects her Club with partners who can help them achieve their mission.
Kayla Grey, BGC West Scarborough
Kayla Grey is an award-winning storyteller, entrepreneur, and personality recognized as a changemaker in Canadian media. She co-executive produces The Shift with Kayla Grey and reports for TSN’s Toronto Raptors. Grey made history as the first Black woman to host a flagship sports highlight show in Canada. She has received multiple accolades for her broadcasting work, including the Change Maker Award from the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Grey continues her creative work through traditional platforms, social media, and her company, Kayla Grey Media Inc.
Current Club Involvement: Grey has supported BGC West Scarborough programs in numerous ways, most recently by inviting a group of youth to a basketball game at the Rogers Centre where they had the chance to take photos on the court. She also invited the Club youth to the Toronto Youth Cabinet Awards, allowing them to dress up and enjoy an elegant night. Always ready to help, she responds to calls about specific family needs and does her best to provide any required support. Read how Kayla feels about being inducted into BGC Canada’s Alumni Hall of Fame on her Instagram.
Taylor Hall, BGC Calgary – Renfrew
Taylor Hall is a prominent figure in professional hockey with a successful career spanning 14 years. Hall’s journey began in Kingston, Ontario where he excelled in junior hockey, winning multiple championships, awards, and titles. Transitioning to the NHL, he made an impact with teams such as the New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, and Chicago Blackhawks. Hall has represented Canada in international competitions, winning gold at the World Championships.
Current Club Involvement: In 2016 and 2018, Hall participated in hockey tournaments that brought together hockey fans and the community in the inaugural outdoor hockey event. These tournaments raised over $20,000 for BGC Clubs. Recognizing the opportunity to further support his community, Hall lent his name to the event, creating the Taylor Hall Ball Hockey Classic. Hall recruited dozens renowned NHL players, and across seven years, the tournament raised $150,000, supporting sports programs and youth to attend summer camps. Prior to each tournament, Hall always visited the Club to engage with the youth.
