Special to the NNPA from the AFRO-American newspapers

Boys and Girls Clubs of America officers and alumni, including media stars Denzel Washington, Ashanti, Ron Howard and Lebron James, gather to promote new PSA initiatives by the organization. (Courtesy Photo)

 Celebrity alumni of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America flocked to Washington, D.C. to launch a new PSA campaign, which targets childhood obesity, dropout rates and youth violence.Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington, the club’s national spokesman and a Boys and Girls Clubs of America alum, led the debut of the organization’s campaign film, “Great Futures Start Here,” directed by Academy Award winner Ron Howard.

“We are very fortunate indeed to have Ron Howard on our Boys and Girls Club team,” Washington said at the event.

The video features 21 alumni of the organization, including co-spokesperson Jennifer Lopez, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Shaquille O’Neal, Kerry Washington, Cuba Gooding Jr. and more.

According to the website, 4.1 million young people are Boys and Girls Clubs of America members.  There are nearly 4,000 chartered locations with a staff of 50,000 nationwide.  The organization states that 64 percent of participants come from minority families.

Although Howard was not a member of the organization, he said he was honored to be called on by Washington to direct the PSA.

“I don’t have Boys and Girls club in my personal history,” he said.  “When Denzel told me about doing this PSA, it was kind of a great moment…I do believe in what the Boys and Girls Club offers.”

Beyonce’s single “I Was Here” from her album “A” was selected as music for the video.