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Partnering with the 2K Foundation, NBA star Jayson Tatum, center, funded a complete overhaul of the Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club gym, including a fully refinished gym floor completed by Luis Perez, owner of Hero Flooring LLC, below.

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By Burt Bollinger Luis Perez, owner of Hero Flooring LLC, recently took on a project that perfectly encapsulates his passion for creating vibrant, meaningful spaces through flooring. The Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis – a beloved community hub – had a gym floor in dire need of refurbishment. When the 2K Foundation and NBA star Jayson Tatum stepped up to sponsor the renovation, Perez found himself at the helm of a project that would have a lasting impact on the local youth.

gym that had given him so much during his formative years. Partnering with the 2K Foundation, Tatum funded a complete overhaul of the gym, including fresh paint, a new scoreboard, and, most importantly, a fully-refinished gym floor. As a final touch, Tatum wanted to leave a lasting mark on the floor – a design that would represent his journey and inspire future generations of athletes. “I didn’t understand how much history was in this gym until I got there,” Perez admits. “It has been around for a long time, and there’s such a rich legacy in this building. To be a part of it, to be a part of what it represents, is a real honor.”

The Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club has a rich history. Founded in 1959, it has provided the St. Louis community with sports programs and other resources for decades. Tom Sullivan, the club’s director, has been with the organization for more than 50 years and remembers when the gym floor was little more than tile. “It started out as a community room,” Sullivan recalls. “Later, we managed to raise enough money to put down some wood flooring, but it had been there for a very long time without ever being sanded.” Jayson Tatum, the five-time NBA All Star who grew up playing at Mathews Dickey, felt a strong connection to the

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