Garry Gilliam ’09
Garry Gilliam’s journey began with hurt and pain, but his legacy is one of purpose.
Garry arrived at Milton Hershey School at just seven years old after his mother made the heartbreaking decision to enroll him there in hopes of giving him a better life. Garry remembers his mother saying she would be back later that night, but she never came. Being the youngest boy in his home, Garry remembers crying every night and yearning to be back with his family.
Raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Garry grew up around instability and danger. At MHS, he found a safe space and was able to thrive. He poured himself into academics and athletics, setting records in basketball and track, and helping lead the football team to its first conference championship in years. Despite his impressive athletic accolades, his goal was to become a 4.0 student, and he went on to achieve it.
After graduating from MHS in 2009, Garry attended Penn State University and triple-majored in business development, public relations and advertising, and industrial psychology while playing Division I football. He went on to have a successful career in the NFL, where he played for the Seattle Seahawks and scored one of the most memorable touchdowns in the NFC Championship game.
Despite all of this, Garry’s proudest accomplishments have happened off the field.
Garry received the Alumni Award for Community Service in 2025. He is an award-winning community leader, entrepreneur, public speaker, and the founder of The Bridge, a holistic development organization that transforms under-resourced neighborhoods through education, economic opportunity, and empowerment. From real estate projects to youth programs, The Bridge is Garry’s response to the question: What happens after a child leaves a place like MHS and returns home?
“After graduating, I saw a gap,” Garry said. “MHS had prepared us in so many ways, but we were right back into the same broken environments we came from. There needs to be a bridge between school and the real world. That’s what I’m building.”
Through The Bridge, Garry has led transformational projects in Harrisburg and beyond, working to create affordable housing, local food systems, mixed-use real estate, and educational programs rooted in equity. One of his most impactful efforts is Evolve and Empower, a free summer camp that offers youth training in trades, public speaking, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and more, designed to build life skills and foster generational change.
“I didn’t want to be another NFL player who just held football camps,” Garry said. “That’s not enough. Kids need real skills, skills that pay the bills. I’ve met a lot of broke athletes. I’ve never met a broke plumber.”
Garry is also the sole author, illustrator, and publisher of “The Garden,” a children’s book that introduces young readers to gardening and food justice. He recently visited the MHS campus to share his book with Elementary Division students and introduce them to the importance of sustainable food sources.
“Food security is a real issue in our communities,” said Garry. “If we want to change systems, we need to start with the kids. Plant seeds of awareness early. Books are a great way to plant that seed.”
The values reflected in the School Pledge that Garry learned at MHS instilled in him a drive that powers his community work—discipline, service, and integrity. He credits his former coaches, houseparents, and mentors, especially Debbie Ainsworth, for helping him stay grounded, even during the most challenging moments at MHS, in college, and beyond. He is grateful for the community that he built at the school and stays in touch with many of them to this day.
As he continues to grow The Bridge and speak around the country, Garry remains driven by a deep sense of responsibility.
“Through MHS, I’ve been given a second chance at life,” Garry said. “I owe it to the people and places that shaped me to give back. I want to create financial sustainability, not just for myself, but for entire communities.”
To fellow alumni and graduating seniors, Garry encourages them to stay connected and build a network. MHS provides a foundation to build a solid network. Without that, success can be challenging to achieve; however, the school offers its students the tools for success.
And if he could speak to Milton and Catherine Hershey?
“I’d thank them from the bottom of my heart,” said Garry. “Without this school, I wouldn’t be here.”