Building Cultural Bridges Through Boxing: Raquel Harris's Journey to Support Youth

Raquel Harris leading a training session in Ramallah.

At Ring of Hope, we are driven by the influence of sports, particularly boxing, to foster positive change and cultural exchange. Inspired by my own life-changing journey to Jerusalem, I founded Ring of Hope with the vision of making an enduring impact on the youth we work with. Collaborating closely with our esteemed board member, Jennifer Chieng, and our passionate team, we strategize to create a refined cultural experience that goes beyond introducing a sport; thus, aiming for ongoing growth, community engagement, and access to programming.

Creating a Unique Cultural Exchange:

Our cultural exchange program draws inspiration from the impactful boxing and leadership program organized by the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs. As part of this program, I had the privilege of joining renowned boxers in sharing our expertise and discussing the sport's contribution to civil rights movements. Witnessing the transformative effect boxing had on the 270 Palestinian girls and women who participated further fueled our commitment to empowering youth.

Expanding Impact and Empowering Youth:

At Ring of Hope, our mission is refined to foster a transformative and life-long impact. With sponsorships and grant funding, we are able to gift participants high quality gear they can cherish as a personal possession and a symbol of their journey. We are actively involved in tracking the progress and defining continued access to resources, working closely with participants long after initial engagement to ensure our impact continues beyond cultural exchange. By combining the values of moral responsibility, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-control, and discipline inherent in boxing, we empower youth to overcome challenges and become champions in their own lives.

Collaboration and Diplomacy:

Our aim is to partner with U.S. embassies in connection with their sports diplomacy and cultural exchange initiatives in the future, working towards our common goal of promote peace, health, and resolving conflicts in the communities. Boxing serves as a powerful medium to demonstrate how success in athletics can translate into achievements in various aspects of life.

I am committed to continuing our mission of building bridges, breaking barriers, and empowering youth through cultural exchange and the sport of boxing. Together, we can create a world where every young individual has the opportunity to rise as a champion in life.