Before he ever spoke to a room full of younger Club members… Before he launched his own clothing line… Before he was named Youth of the Year at Yawkey Club of Roxbury… Anibal “AJ” Ramirez Mateo Jr. was a quiet, observant kid trying to find his place.
At seven years old, he walked into the Yawkey Club for the first time, nervous, unsure, but curious. What started as a reliable place after school soon became a launching pad for his creativity, confidence, and clarity about the kind of life he wanted to build, not just for himself, but for others.
“My dreams have always been loud,” AJ says. “But without the right people believing in you, they can get quiet real quick.”
That belief was fueled by a community, a network of mentors, programs, and peers that never let AJ forget his worth and potential. For nearly a decade, much of that community has come from Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.
“The Club didn’t just give me space to lead, it gave me space to figure out who I am,” he reflects. “Sometimes it was in a classroom. Sometimes it was in the art room designing logos. And sometimes, it was just being around people who saw me before I saw myself.”
AJ’s early experiences at the Club ranged from basketball games and swim lessons to art classes and homework help. He still remembers the day Red Sox star Mookie Betts signed his glove at a Club event, one of those unexpected moments that expanded his sense of what was possible.
“The Club has always been amazing at creating opportunities for kids who might not have thought they were possible,” he says. “I’ve been one of the lucky ones blessed with those opportunities.”
Over the past ten years, AJ has grown into his voice and purpose. As president of Keystone Club, he leads service projects and uplifts his peers. As a Teen Associate, he listens first and leads with intention. And as the founder of 8DD Streetwear, a clothing brand he launched inside the Club’s art room—he brings his creative vision to life with help from both mentors and younger members.
“It means something when a six-year-old sees their suggestion on a hoodie and says, ‘Hey, I helped make that,’” AJ says. “That’s how you build something bigger than yourself.”
That sense of shared purpose defines AJ’s story. He’s not just chasing success. He’s building a life rooted in legacy, opportunity, and giving back.
AJ currently attends Bentley University where he is studying finance. This decision was shaped by his experiences with the Club’s Ready to Work program and mentorship from corporate partners like BlackRock and Fidelity. His long-term goal is to own car dealerships that offer luxury vehicles while also donating reliable transportation to families in need.
“My dreams started with cars, but the purpose behind them has grown,” he says. “It’s about making a difference for people, eliminating barriers that hold families back.”
The impact of the Club extends beyond AJ. His younger siblings are now Club kids themselves, and his older sister Oasis, who joined after AJ, is now a senior at Harvard. He’s proud to have helped light the way for them, and for the next generation coming up behind him.
“There’s always someone watching, even if you don’t realize it,” he says. “I want to be someone they can look up to, someone who gives back the way people gave to me.”
AJ’s journey isn’t just impressive, it’s intentional. From the quiet young boy who entered the Club to the confident young man preparing for college, AJ’s story is one of momentum and meaning. He’s chasing more than success; he’s chasing impact. With a clear vision, a creative spirit, and a heart for community, AJ isn’t just imagining a better future, he’s building it. And he’s just getting started.
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