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04-02-09
Street Named After Living Legend: William “Billy” Thomas of Mount Vernon
Story by Sharon L. Conn, Ed.D
    On March 29, 2009, the Southside Boys Club Alumni Association honored William “Billy” Thomas with the unveiling of “Billy Thomas Way” on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Fifth Street in Mount Vernon, NY.  This was the first time a living legend received such an honor.
     Over 250 people attended the event, which included: Mayor, Clinton Young, Loretta Hollinger (Councilwoman), Yuhanna Edwards (Councilman), George Brown (City Clerk), Lisa Copeland (former City Clerk and a member of the Boys and Girls Club Board of Director’s), former first lady, Betty Davis and Rev Richard Dixon (emeritus of Macedonia Baptist Church). The attendees included over 75 Boys Club alumni, with Ed Harris, the national alumni president,  who served as the master-of-ceremonies.
     The ceremony took place in the BGC, where several of Mr. Thomas’ closest friends paid tribute to him. Speakers: Pat McIver (Marketing Exec), Derrick Warner (Chemist), Dr. Sharon Conn (Educational Administrator), (Saleem Sullivan (Educator) Terry Lee, (Educator) and Mr. Stephen Mitchell (Entrepreneur) Rev Charles White and Lowes Moore, Executive Director of the BGC.
     The unveiling immediately followed the dedication ceremony on the corner of Sixth Ave and Fifth Street.  After the unveiling, The Alumni held a reception at the AC-BAW gallery in downtown Mount Vernon that lasted for several hours. There, friends reunited with alumni members, some of whom had not seen each other in over 40 years.
     Mr. Thomas served as the Executive Director for over 25 years at what was then called the Boys Club. The accolades and tributes from his closest friends spoke about their individual relationships with Mr. Thomas, and how his influence directly impacted their lives. Mr. Thomas is most noted for his relationship with Denzel Washington (Denzel Washington and Billy Thomas at the Boys Club).
     Alumni came as far away as Seattle, Washington to honor a “giant,” as described by Dr. Sharon Conn, who was mentored by Mr. Thomas beginning at the age of 15. “He played an enormous role in my life.” “He made you believe in yourself and to strive for the best.”   Dr. Larry Spruill, former Principal of Mount Vernon High School and MV Historian, Gerald Coleman, former member of the Mount Vernon School Board, and Charles Stevenson, former aid to Congressman, Rom Dellums of CA, were also mentored by Mr. Thomas and took an active role in organizing this event. Stephen Mitchell stated the most people associate Denzel Washington with Billy Thomas and the Boys Club; however, he stated, “Billy Thomas was the Boys Club and everyone that he mentored or came in contact with him, including Denzel, had a great deal of respect for his authority.”

 Photo Gallery

(l to r) Oscar “Bill” Conn, Jr. with two of his grandmother’s best friends, sisters: Marie Williams and Josephine Floyd.

(l to r) MVHS friends: Drs. Sharon Conn (MD) and Larry Spruill (GA).

(l to r)  Cousins: F. Glen Jones (WA) and Abashi BenRuben, with Sharon Conn (center)

Southside Boys and Girls Club

Ed “Butch” Harris, president and one of the original founders of the National Southside Boys Club Alumni Association and Master-of-Ceremonies.

(l to r) Two of Billy Thomas’ closest friends: Rev. Charles White (TX) and Stephen Mitchell

(l to r) Living legend: Billy Thomas with  F. Glen Jones and Gerald Coleman

(l to r) Original alumni alumni members: Derrick Warner (CO), Robert Burrell (NC) and Henry Grant (CT)

(l to r) Yvonne Zanfordino (NC) and F. Glen Jones
“Living the Dream”.

Pictures: Courtesy of F. Glen Jones and Lori Alston-Jones