Ring of Hope is kicking off 2025 with an expansion to 10 schools across the Bronx and Staten Island, impacting up to 425 students through a sports mentorship initiative intersecting boxing with the world of arts, media, and technology.
Baychester Middle School is where the program was first launched. The partnership began when the Principal, Shawn Mangar, asked a student how he could support her in her journey to improve her behavior. She expressed an interest in boxing as a form of alternative therapy. Having previously learned about Ring of Hope, Mr. Mangar connected to form a collaboration.
This initiative aimed to address student punctuality and attendance by engaging high-risk students with an exciting program before the start of the school day. Boxing requires a level of discipline that the students adjusted to. Ultimately, the school reported program success through improved attendance, as well as higher test scores and student engagement.
Throughout the program, the school and Ring of Hope worked together to implement strategies that assisted with outreach and engaged students, particularly females who might otherwise avoid boxing. By placing a female instructor and enhancing the program with lectures and internship opportunities, they achieved equal participation from male and female students. This approach dismantled the stereotype that boxing is solely about violence, replacing it with an innovative, inclusive program that prioritized personal development over competition, effectively countering the negative stigma traditionally associated with the sport.
The culmination of the program comprised an inaugural boxing show, Championing Dreams, that doubled as a showcase. Fighters from NY and NJ competed for medals, while the students, who served as sports photographers, captured moments. Other students served as sports reporters, journalists, and commentators.
One of the highlights was the participation of Sharif Oné, a math teacher and boxer from Baychester Middle School, who competed in the ring before his students. Sharif’s dedication to balancing his professional boxing career with his role as an educator served as a direct source of inspiration. Seeing his commitment to rigorous training and competition inspired the students to push harder in their own sessions.
Student, Leinys, designed the custom shorts Sharif wore during the fight in our sports apparel workshop, showcasing her creative talents and further connecting the students to his success. Sharif’s journey demonstrates that it’s possible to excel in both academics and sports. He has since transitioned to professional boxing while continuing to inspire young minds at Eagle Academy.
The program’s story and success, as recognized by NYC Public Schools and highlighted during Harlem Week, collectively inspired neighboring school principals to engage their students in Ring of Hope’s in-school boxing program, with Baychester Middle School serving as a model for program design. The $9M Project Pivot program launched by NYC provided over 138 NYC schools with funding for enrichment activities to help principals include services like ours.
Ring of Hope's upcoming fundraiser event series this summer will provide youth across 10 schools in socially disadvantaged boroughs with access to internship opportunities in showcases such as boxing shows, film screenings, and pitch competitions.
In addition to impacting more youth, the non-profit aims to fostering students like Aria, an 8th grader from Baychester Middle School. Aria has volunteered as an assistant boxing coach, showcasing leadership and class management capability. Aria’s influence extends beyond technical abilities; she is an advocate for anti-bullying, creating an environment where students, regardless of their background, are uplifted and supported. She has fostered a culture of positivity and mutual respect, where students genuinely care for one another and work to build each other up.
Aria, an excellent role model who serves as the heart of the boxing program at Baychester, has decided she would like to step in the ring at this year’s showcase to increase her boxing knowledge. Not only will she be preparing for her first amateur fight, but also for her first paid internship. Aria’s dedication to her classmates has secured her a youth coaching opportunity in an upcoming city-wide pilot program for teens in foster care, further demonstrating the program's impact.
Ring of Hope is excited to cultivate the next generation of leaders and changemakers while driving economic impact. Through our specialized courses that teach boxers how to lead youth classes and manage behavior, we are creating pathways for career advancement. This opportunity will open doors for boxers to lead programs, while also fostering partnership opportunities with minority and women-owned businesses to co-design initiatives.
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Visit our MWBE partner, Soul Soiree to discover other impactful initiatives.
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