Girls Inc. Honored at Warriors Parade

Girls Inc. of Alameda County, CEO Julayne Virgil was one of four local leaders selected by NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant to ride on his bus, sponsored by Nike, during the Warriors Parade. Kevin Durant’s motto is “Rise. Grind. Shine. Again.” For the parade, he wanted to be accompanied by Oakland leaders he felt lived this motto— especially those who wake up every day dedicated to changing the lives of youth in Oakland. Julayne was invited along with Cal Stanley from the Boys & Girls Club, Regina Jackson from the East Oakland Youth Development Center, and James Bowron, the Oakland Fire Department Chief who led his team in fighting the Wine Country fires. Also on the float were the Oakland High girls’ basketball team and the Oakland Tech  boys’ basketball team, both of whom were city champions this year.

Julayne was honored to be in the parade, and to represent Girls Inc. As she put it, “There are so many heroes in my community that enabled me to be here today. I am proud to “rise and grind” on behalf of and with our girls so they can shine again and again. And this is an opportunity for our entire town to shine: it’s a celebration for Oakland.”