The Lightning Boy Foundation is honored to participate in a celebration hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, reaffirming its commitment to serving Native youth across the country.
We are seeking support to bring 8 youth hoop dancers and 1 drummer to Atlanta, Georgia, to represent Native culture, excellence, and leadership at the unveiling of the Lightning Boy bronze statue. This special event honors the legacy and future of Native youth within Boys & Girls Clubs of America and features the unveiling of Lightning Boy, a bronze statue by Alumni Hall of Fame member, George Rivera, and sponsored by Van Mabee and the Boys & Girls Club, Native Services.
Artist and former Governor, George Rivera, was the first Native American inducted into the BGCA Alumni Hall of Fame, and he and his son PaaWee Rivera are the first father and son inducted together. The sculpture honors Valentino Rivera, son to George and brother to PaaWee Rivera, and marks the first sculpture representing Boys & Girls Clubs Native Services, prominently displayed at the entrance of national headquarters.
This moment is further grounded in community, as Valentino and five participating dancers are current or former members of the Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club. This experience is more than a performance—it is a moment of national recognition and cultural affirmation, with youth representing their communities through resilience, creativity, and Indigenous excellence. The trip also includes a cultural enrichment visit to the Otis Redding Museum, highlighting Black and Indigenous contributions to American music and history.
Your donation will directly support:
Airfare and ground transportation
Lodging and meals
Performance regalia and travel supplies