Zane Smith has become one of Kern County’s most respected and influential leaders through decades of service to its youth. As President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County (BGCKC), Smith has dedicated his life to empowering children, building safe spaces, and creating opportunities for thousands of families. Under his leadership, the organization has not only grown in scope but has also become a cornerstone of hope and development for children throughout the region. 

 

This great story needs to be compartmentalized in such a way that it gives justice to a great path and career. As we go over Zane’s early life and influences, his journey toward youth advocacy didn’t begin in a boardroom or a classroom, but in the small, everyday moments that revealed the importance of community. Born and raised in a modest background, Smith’s early experiences instilled in him a deep sense of empathy, justice, and responsibility. 

 

While little has been publicly shared about his childhood, those close to him know that Smith’s formative years were shaped by a profound respect for mentorship and education. Influenced by community leaders and teachers who believed in the power of youth potential, Smith discovered his calling early—to serve others, particularly the underserved. 

 

What seemed to be a calling turned into a career. Zane began his professional career in education and nonprofit work, building programs that addressed academic underachievement and community disconnection. His work quickly garnered attention not just for its outcomes but for his hands-on, compassionate approach to leadership. 

 

In the early 2000s, Smith accepted the opportunity to lead the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County—a decision that would not only change the trajectory of the organization but also reshape the lives of countless children and families. At the time, BGCKC was a much smaller organization, serving only a fraction of the youth it would reach under Smith’s guidance. 

 

Our very own Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County has been transformed by Zane! His tenure at the Boys & Girls Clubs has been defined by visionary growth. When he first took the helm, the organization operated out of a few modest clubhouses. Today, it serves more than 10,000 children annually across over 71 sites in Kern County, soon to be 73, in Bakersfield, Lamont, Arvin, Shafter, and Wasco. This transformation has been the result of strategic planning, community partnerships, and, above all, a relentless focus on the needs of local youth. 

 

There is a great path to expansion and a presence of solid infrastructure for the Boys and Girls Club of Kern!  One of Smith’s most visible achievements is the expansion of the Club’s infrastructure. Through successful fundraising campaigns and strong relationships with public and private entities, BGCKC has been able to renovate existing facilities and build new centers in neighborhoods that previously lacked access to youth programming. 

 

These clubhouses provide much more than just after-school care. They offer comprehensive services—meals, academic support, arts and music programming, leadership development, and sports. Smith has long emphasized that these programs must go beyond basic needs to foster resilience, creativity, and a sense of purpose in every child. 

 

One of the most challenging parts is funding and growing strategically and organically. Growing a nonprofit of this scale requires significant funding, and Smith has become a master at building bridges to donors, government agencies, and philanthropic partners. His ability to convey the mission of the Club in tangible, heartfelt ways has inspired support from local businesses, national foundations, and even celebrities with ties to Bakersfield. 

 

Under Smith’s leadership, BGCKC’s operating budget has grown to exceed $20 million, allowing the Club to serve not just children but their entire families. From food distribution and family engagement nights to job training and community resource navigation, the Club under Smith has evolved into a multi-generational support system. 

 

It is critical to address that Zane has kept a youth-centered philosophy. At the heart of everything he does is a belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. His philosophy isn’t rooted in charity; it’s rooted in equity, empowerment, and justice. 

 

As he emphasized, “A safe place to go after school can change a child’s entire future.” That simple idea has guided program development, community partnerships, and hiring practices. BGCKC employs hundreds of staff members, many of whom come from the same neighborhoods as the children they serve, creating a cycle of mentorship and representation. 

 

The programs developed under Zane’s leadership reflect a commitment to holistic development. In addition to homework help and sports, children are exposed to robotics, music production, culinary arts, dance, and college preparation. Smith believes in showing children that they are more than their circumstances—that they can be artists, engineers, leaders, and change-makers. 

 

A huge task for any leader is meeting the challenges of a quickly changing world! Zane has weathered many storms on behalf of the children of Kern County. Perhaps the most defining challenge of his tenure came during the COVID-19 pandemic, which posed an existential threat to youth programming nationwide. 

 

Instead of shutting down or scaling back, Smith and his team ramped up operations. The Club adapted by offering virtual tutoring, delivering meals to families, and converting clubhouses into pandemic resource centers. At a time when many children were isolated, BGCKC served as a critical lifeline. 

 

The Club’s pandemic response earned national recognition and demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of the organization’s leadership. Smith credited the success to the staff and volunteers, saying, “We are here because we don’t see children as numbers or statistics—we see them as our responsibility.” 

 

If there is one key gift from Zane, it is to have a local impact and build community relationships. What distinguishes his leadership is that it is rooted in the community. Unlike many nonprofit leaders who remain at a distance, Zane is often seen at events, talking directly with parents and children, or lending a hand at Club sites. His presence is not performative; it’s personal. 

 

Zane maintains deep relationships with Kern County educators, law enforcement, elected officials, and faith leaders. He has collaborated on anti-gang initiatives, literacy campaigns, and hunger relief efforts. His ability to bring diverse stakeholders together toward a common goal has made him a central figure in local policy and social services. 

 

In recognition of his work, Zane has received numerous awards from civic organizations, including the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, and the California State Legislature. 

 

A great leader keeps an eye on advocacy and the future. Mr. Smith doesn’t just operate at the local level—he has become a voice in the national conversation around youth services. He regularly speaks at conferences and panels, advocating greater investment in after-school programs, mental health resources, and education equity. 

 

Zane is especially passionate about closing opportunity gaps for children of color, immigrant families, and rural communities. Through BGCKC’s robust outreach, Zane has made the Club one of the few organizations in Kern County that serves children across such a wide geographic and demographic spectrum. 

 

Looking forward, Zane is focused on further innovation. Plans are underway for a new technology and innovation hub in Bakersfield, which will expose youth to coding, artificial intelligence, digital design, and more. There are also efforts to expand services for teens, helping them transition to adulthood with mentorship, internships, and scholarships. 

 

If we were to point out what his legacy is or how his leadership can be best described, I would say for many, it’s not the buildings or the grants—it’s the stories. It’s the teenager who graduated from high school after nearly dropping out. It’s the young girl who discovered her love of science in a Club robotics program. It’s the family that found stability because the Club helped them through a difficult year. 

 

Zane leads with humility. Staff describe him as a “servant leader,” someone who listens before speaking and always gives credit to others. His office walls are filled with photos of Club kids, not trophies. He is the first to deflect praise, insisting that the success of BGCKC is due to “a team of dedicated people who show up every day with heart.” 

 

Yet it’s clear that much of the organization’s success is tied to Zane’s relentless vision. He believes in Kern County, in its potential, and most of all, in its young people. His legacy will be felt for generations. 

 

Zane Smith has proven that one individual can catalyze community-wide transformation. His decades-long leadership of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County has provided thousands of children with the tools, support, and beliefs they need to chase their dreams. 

 

In a region often overlooked in broader discussions about equity and opportunity, Zane has built an institution that stands as a beacon of hope. Through compassion, strategy, and unwavering commitment, he has changed not just lives but the future of Kern County itself.  

 

As he continues to lead, advocate, and innovate, one thing is certain: Kern County’s children are in good hands.