WS Chronicle

BY TEVIN STINSON

THE CHRONICLE 

Next week, Stan Law will officially become the first African-American to serve as president and chief executive at the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina. Law, a native of Charlotte, will succeed Kurt Hazelbacker, who left in January to serve as president at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.

Before returning to his home state, Law served as the chief executive at the YMCA of Greater Birmingham and the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. He also served as the vice president at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. and YMCA of Greater Charlotte.

“I’ve had some great experiences in other parts of the country, but it feels really good to be back home,” said Law during an interview earlier this week.

While discussing his plans for the 16 branches that make up the YMCA of Northwest N.C., Law said he is looking forward to getting out in the community to find out ways the organization can better meet the needs of the people. He said his goal as president is to engage the community by creating more cause-driven programs similar to the diabetes prevention program they already offer.

“The Y has to engage itself in the communities we serve. As communities change, the Y must change, “the said. “We are committed to getting involved in the community and building partnerships with other organizations as well.”

When asked about the future of the Winston Lake YMCA, Law said they are still having discussions to decide what’s next for the branch located on Waterworks Road. Last October, it was announced that the city was considering purchasing most of the branch’s current location. At that time, The Chronicle reported that low membership led to a shortfall of $400,000.

The branch started on Depot Street in 1924 to serve African-Americans during segregation. It continues to serve the black community as East Winston’s YMCA. The regional YMCA has been subsidizing the Winston Lake Y since the branch moved to its current location in 1985.

“I am aware of some of the issues that branch has faced and we’re still having discussions with city leaders. We are interested in the concerns and will do what’s best for the people who live in that community,” Law said.

Law is expected to take the reins of the YMCA of Northwest NC on Monday, May 8. In an email, chief volunteer officer Norm Potter said Law is a visionary who will take the local Y to the next level.

He wrote, “We are thrilled to have Stan Law coming in to lead our Y at such an important time in our organization. In addition to his impressive and distinguished career as a servant leader and community collaborator across the YMCA movement for 27 years, he is a visionary leader of unquestionable integrity, faith and compassion that will take our Y to even greater levels of impact.”