Former Beaches Club Alumna Sponsors Inspiring Little Mermaid Movie Event for Kids

McKenzie’s Beaches Boys & Girls Club alumna Taylor Richardson, also known as Astronaut Starbright, is shown with Boys & Girls Club members in Jacksonville at the movie screening of The Little Mermaid.

Recently, 400 of our Boys & Girls Club members from across Northeast Florida had the exciting opportunity to attend a special movie screening of Disney’s new live action Little Mermaid with complimentary popcorn, drinks and snacks, thanks to youth advocate and McKenzie’s Beaches Club alumni Taylor Richardson.

Also known online as Astronaut Starbright because of her passion to become an astronaut, Taylor’s #TheLittleMermaidChallenge digital fundraising campaign raised more than $45,000 to help fund these movie screenings for young people of color, including members from her hometown Boys & Girls Club in Jacksonville.

“I created this challenge because Ariel as a mermaid of African descent allows brown and black children to feel seen. It allows them to imagine themselves in magical stories, a realm where they’re rarely present. And now they can see what they can be!,” Taylor shared via social media.

“These screenings are so much more than just going to the movies. I think Mr. Tyler Perry said it best, ‘Rather than being an icon, I want to be an inspiration.’ I hope that the work I do big or small continues to be an inspiration to someone to do good!”

Taylor’s Alumni Story

Taylor was recently selected to speak at Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) 56th Annual National Keystone Conference that will take place in Dallas, Texas, July 20-22, 2023.

“I started with Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida (BGCNF) in middle school and till this day some of my most cherished moments as a Club member still have the biggest influence and impact today! As a proud alum of BGCNF, I can’t explain what this moment means for me!,” Taylor shared on social media.

Keystone Club is the Boys & Girls Club Movement's ultimate teen program. Keystone Clubs provide leadership development opportunities for young people ages 14 to 18. Youth participate in activities in three focus areas: academic success, career preparation and community service.

BGCA hosts an annual National Keystone Conference for Boys & Girls Club teens that brings together members from across the globe. Throughout the conference, Keystone members engage and socialize with peers, explore relevant issues and develop skills to support and enhance efforts in their local Boys & Girls Clubs and communities.