PPG Leaders Transform Boys & Girls Club in Florida with COLORFUL COMMUNITIES Project

PPG announced the completion of a COLORFUL COMMUNITIES project in collaboration with Heart of America to revitalize the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County Nan Knox Unit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The project brought together more than 115 of PPG’s top global leaders, who spent a portion of their annual global leadership meeting repainting the Club’s aviation learning center, art and computer rooms and media center.

PPG provided more than 120 gallons of PPG PURE PERFORMANCE paint for the project, while the PPG Foundation also provided a grant to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational activities.

“As one of the first two Broward Clubs adopted in 1965-67, the Nan Knox Unit is rich in history and heritage,” said Cameron Warrick, director of development and corporate relations, Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. “In 1987, it was the first Club to welcome girls into what was originally the ‘Boys Clubs of Broward.’ It has been the home of generations of families that continue to attend today. The revitalization helps us to assure that success is within reach of every young person who walks through the doors and allows us to continue providing the same world-class Club experience that has been offered for the last 59 years.”

The employee volunteers beautified the Club with colors including Electric Blue (PPG1241-6) and Funky Frog (PPG1221-7), selected by PPG experts to enhance learning and engagement. Volunteers also completed a mural in the lobby, designed around the Club’s motto, “Whatever it takes.” Additional murals aim to inspire Nan Nox Unit members to “Build the Future” by depicting aviation careers.

“The Nan Knox Unit aims to provide an environment where students feel encouraged and inspired. Our global leaders and Colorful Communities volunteers wanted to build on this and create engaging learning spaces,” said Malesia Dunn, executive director, PPG Foundation and corporate global social responsibility. “From the moment they enter the building, bright, fresh colors welcome the Club’s members. These refreshed STEM learning spaces have the potential to create the future leaders in many of the industries PPG serves, including aviation.”

In addition to painting, PPG employee volunteers assembled 150 STEM activity kits and 55 bicycles, all which were donated to local Boys & Girls Club members.

For this project, PPG teamed up with Heart of America, an education equity nonprofit organization that transforms learning spaces, bridges the resource gap, and strengthens communities to give all students room to learn, discover and thrive.

“Heart of America knows how important physical space is to a young person’s learning experience. Making sure that all students have a place to go that inspires them to thrive is our focus,” said Jill Hardy Heath, president of Heart of America. “We are proud to partner with brands like PPG that prioritize this as much as we do.”