Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester honors Bruce Seals with portrait unveiling and city citation

BOSTON — July 22, 2026 — Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester unveils memorial portrait and receives city citation honoring Bruce Seals on the one-year anniversary of his death. Mayor Michelle Wu presented a posthumous City of Boston Certificate of Recognition to Seals' children, Denitra and Bruce Jr., at the Dorchester facility Tuesday, crediting Seals with 30 years of mentorship and calling him "a great champion of children." Bob Scannell, president and CEO of the club, said Seals affected "not even hundreds but thousands of kids" during his tenure, which began in 1990 after a professional basketball career in the NBA. Emerson College alumni donated to the newly established Bruce Seals Scholarship Fund, which will support club members' education; Seals coached at Emerson for approximately 17 years alongside his club work. The club plans a larger citywide memorial event in the spring, potentially including a basketball tournament. State Representative Liz Miranda, City Councilor at-large elect Ruth C. Luigen, former State Senator Linda Dorcena Forey, and Bill Richard of the Martin Richard Foundation were among those present.