Denzel Washington Talks Career, Boys & Girls Clubs Of America’s Impact

Denzel Washington has astonished audiences through countless unforgettable performances and earned 10 Academy Award nominations, winning two Oscars, in his 45 years in front of cameras.

Washington’s unrivaled and film career and inspiring acceptance speeches may never have happened if the 67-year-old actor didn’t receive the guidance he desperately needed when he was a child growing up in Mount Vernon, New York from the local Boys & Girls Clubs of America chapter.

Boys & Girls Clubs provide safe spaces, caring mentors and life-enhancing programs to over 4.3 million youth across more than 4,700 Clubs nationwide.

Washington first joined the organization at age five and has served as the national spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs for the past 25-plus years.

“I was heading in the wrong direction [as a teenager], when you’re starting to get out there and be tempted by more adult things; but the very lessons I learned in the club I think helped to keep me from going too far,” Washington told me at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Conference in Chicago this past weekend.

“I knew right from wrong; and that’s something you’re taught. It’s cliche to say, but it’s true, you’re really taught that in the club, right from wrong, and to be honest, and those kinds of lessons.”

Prior to our interview, Denzel delivered a speech on gratitude to thousands of Boys & Girls Clubs staff members who’ve worked relentlessly throughout the pandemic to meet the constantly-evolving needs of youth, families, and communities.

“All of you have proven that you need and deserve to be at the table when the issues facing our children must be addressed,” he said in the speech. “Because when essential workers needed essential services for their children, you stepped up to provide those services.

“Because when many of our communities witnessed and experienced civil unrest, community leaders and law enforcement relied on you, club staff to bring understanding and civility back to their communities.”

So what is Washington thankful for at this point in his life?

“This morning,” Denzel said, stressing the fact that life is a gift, not a guarantee.

He went on to depict the importance of and simplicity in expressing gratitude.

“We were looking up something, I think it said there are [86,400] seconds in a day, can’t you take one of them to say, ‘Thank you’?” Washington said.

The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) star credits both the longevity of his career and the critical acclaim he’s still receiving to his own innate curiosity.

“I’m still curious,” Denzel said. “There’s nothing that I found in life that says that at a certain age you’re supposed to stop being curious about life. So I’m still curious about life, and as long as I’m curious, I’ll keep searching.”

Following his latest role, and Oscar nomination as Macbeth, Washington revealed what he looks for now before taking on a new project.

“Just the challenge,” Denzel, who will reprise his role as Robert McCall in the Equalizer 3, slated for 2023, said. “Just [did] a great role in Macbeth; I love Shakespeare. Just looking for the ultimate challenges.”

At the Boys & Girls Clubs’ National Conference, Washington shared the stage with the organization’s 2021-2022 National Youth of the Year, Brianna P, who serves as the teen spokesperson for Club youth nationwide.