Center Court September Spotlight: Circle of Discipline
The Under Review is dedicated to featuring local and national organizations with social justice, racial equality, and/or the fight against gender or LGBTQ+ disparity, who use sports, writing, or education as their main tool for empowerment and change. It is our honor and pleasure to offer our support to Minneapolis’s own Circle of Discipline with Center Court’s inaugural post.
Located in the heart of East Lake Street, Circle of Discipline has been a Minneapolis staple since 1993. The mission of COD is “to empower underrepresented community members by providing greater access to opportunities that increase knowledge of and practice toward 360° of physical, spiritual and mental wellness.”
Minneapolis native Sankara Frazier founded the organization nearly 30 years ago and under his leadership it’s been a smashing success both in the ring and in the Twin Cities community.
Despite several big time fights getting postponed, and then postponed again, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple Circle of Discipline fighters have notched major victories in 2020. Minneapolis native Jamal “Shango” James claimed the Interim WBA Welterweight Championship Belt with a victory against Thomas Dulorme by unanimous decision at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on August 8. The fight, which drew over a million viewers as the main event on “PBC Fight Night,” brought James’s career professional record to 27-1 and could set up some of the biggest bouts of his career.
James wasn’t the only victorious Circle of Discipline member of the night. On the same card, 22-year-old Cuban emigrant David Morrell claimed the vacant WBA interim super middleweight title with a unanimous decision over Lennox Allen.
“I wanted to win this title not only for myself and my organization but for the community and Minneapolis and Minnesota in general,’’ James told Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune. “I think the city needed a win.
“I wanted to make sure we can bring some positivity and a light of hope. It’s really been a monumental and historic event for David and myself to bring two world titles back to Minnesota — all coming from the COD. I’m very satisfied.’’
As big as Circle of Discipline has grown in the ring, it’s an even bigger giant in the community. COD members have gone on to excel in a wide range of professions. In addition to boxing, physical fitness, and health classes, workshops are offered on a variety of passions and independent living skills (you can volunteer to teach a workshop on something you’re passionate about today!).
Making a difference in the Minneapolis community is the primary focus of COD. Days after James and Morrell returned victorious from Los Angeles, the Lake Street facility hosted a pop-up food drive consisting of dozens of volunteers and countless pounds of food for the community in this desperate time of need. The Circle of Discipline social channels have hinted at more pop-up food drives coming soon so give them a follow to learn more about how to get involved.
Be it in the ring, or in the community, Circle of Discipline represents everything we’re hoping to tribute with the launch of Center Court. Please check out all the ways in which you can help the Circle through the resources below:
Follow Circle of Discipline on Instagram
Learn more at CircleOfDiscipline.org