You probably have seen Alyse Eady on your television screen in the morning, as she has the responsibility of giving Atlanta residents breaking news in the city on Fox 5. Before Eady was an anchor and reporter, she was a young girl who would attend the Boys & Girls Club of America with her brothers, supporting them as they played football.
Now, Eady has been inducted into the BGCA Alumni Hall of Fame, as she looks to inspire the next generation to get involved as well. Eady spoke to rolling out about her memories at the club and tips she would give to young girls looking up to her.
What are your fondest memories at the Boys & Girls Club of America?
I have so many memories from the Boys & Girls Club. In fact, I was an illegal member at first because I was too young. I joined when I was two or three years old, cheering from my brothers on the sidelines when they played football. But I had to wait until I was six to actually join and not be an honorary member.
I have so many memories of going after school: hanging out and having fun, playing bumper pool, playing dodgeball — you name it. Just having fun, but I feel like that’s what’s so great about the Boys & Girls Club is it evolves with you. It’s there to be the fun place you need it to be; it was the place where I could volunteer: and I could learn why that was so important to mentor and volunteer. Later on, it provided me with scholarship money and incredible opportunities I never would have had.
Why is an environment like the Boys & Girls Club beneficial for kids?
They’ve always been important, but I think that now more than ever, they’re needed in communities. We hear about just the state of things right now. The violence — and social media — just wreaking havoc on so many lives. Kids just need a place to belong and feel safe. Parents are working long hours — and times are really hard right now — so to have a safe place for kids to go during the summer and after school, I think it’s more important right now than it’s ever been in the history of the Boys & Girls Club.
What are some tips you would give to young girls looking to make it to television?
I’ve come a long way from the little girl going to the Boys & Girls Club after school, but I had people who believed in me, who poured into my life and who mentored me and we’re there every step of the way. My advice to others would be to find that person. Find the person that you can trust to be able to talk to you that you know you can lean on, that you can get career advice from, life advice from, school advice from. … Find someone who can mentor you and who can hold your hand and just be there with you as you move through life.
