The local nonprofit Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club has named the Rev. Earl Nance, Jr. as the organization’s new board chairman. He replaces retiring board chairman the Rev. William Gillespie, who had served as chairman since 1975.
The organization honored Gillespie during the organization’s 50th Anniversary President’s Day Parade and named the board room in his honor. Nance carries on a family tradition of board service at Mathews-Dickey, started by his father, the late Rev. Earl Nance, Sr.
“Like Rev. Gillespie, Rev. Nance perfectly exemplifies the values of credibility, accountability and integrity,” said Martin Luther Mathews, president, CEO & co-founder of Mathews-Dickey. “As a product of our program, he is an excellent role model for our children of what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.”
Nance, pastor at the Greater Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, said he was honored to chair the organization he grew up in and to carry on the mission.
“Both Mr. Mathews and Rev. Gillespie are great father figures and mentors to me,” Nance said.
Nance previously served as vice chairman of the Mathews-Dickey Board, which will now be filled by Odell Hendricks, director of recruiting at Centric Group.
Gillespie said Nance will be “an impeccable leader.”
Not new to community building, Nance has served on the boards of Fair St. Louis, Friends of Julia Davis Library, Heat-up St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri Historical Society, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), St. Louis Sports Commission, St. Louis Regional Sports Authority, St. Louis Science Center, United Way of Greater St. Louis and Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.
Nance was the first African-American named to the 22nd Judicial Commission, served as the education liaison for City of St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and was named to Missouri Governor John Ashcroft’s Bicentennial Celebration Commission.
Every year, the organization provides 40,000 young men and women with educational, cultural and sports programs. It is a United Way member agency.
