CIRCLE OF DISCIPLINE STAFF

Sankara Frazier, CEO/Founder/PAL Amateur Boxing Director

Sankara has well over 30 years of community service. He began the Southside Youth Neighborhood Organization (SYNO) in 1975. SYNO focused on various projects that focused on community and family development. In 1985 he developed and managed teen programming at Bernadette’s Teen Club, which included tutoring after-school, aerobics, cultural activities and sports. He has been a participant of amateur boxing as a competitor and a coach. Sankara is a certified 3rd level USA Boxing Coach through the United States Olympic Committee and USA Boxing.

Sankara is also a Grand Master in the Martial Arts with a 7th Degree Black Sash in Wu Shu (Kung Fu). With his intensive background as a Coach and Martial Arts Instructor, Sankara became a personal trainer working at the Minneapolis Grand Hotel Lifetime Fitness. He has trained WBA and IBF world champions. Was a personal trainer for actors Josh Hartnett and Mark Walhberg. He has also trained local business owners, including Lisa Bauch who now owns and operates her boxing gym, Uppercut Gym. Sankara was recognized by Abbott Northwestern Hospital for his outstanding community service receiving the 2004 “Abby” award and the 2007 “Local Legend” award at the annual Martin Luther King Jr breakfast celebration. Sankara is a native of Minneapolis, MN.

Diana Spiess, Executive Director

Diana is an international coach for professional boxers and a national coach for amateur boxers. Diana made boxing history as being the first cut woman to work a WBA Championship fight in France, April 2000. She received a Certificate from Hamline University, through a grant from the Minnesota Greater Council of Churches, for their non-profit business management course. She has volunteered as Mentor for youth and young adults in the Metropolitan area for over 15 years. She also successfully completed the Susan g. Komen 3-Day Walk for Breast Cancer in 2006. She received an “Eleven Who Care” Cetificate as a nominee for the award annual award that KARE 11 gives out. Abbott Northwestern Hospital has also recognized Diana for her outstanding community service in 2005 and awarded her the “Abby” award.

Sierra Leone Samuels, Development Director

Sierra is a 3rd level USA Amateur Boxing official. She has received the National Golden Gloves Outstanding Official award in 2006 and the 2007 Best First Time Official at the National USA Tournament. She was recently voted in as the Chief of Officials for the state of Minnesota Amateur Boxing program. She has volunteered for the Circle of Discipline for over 10 years and had a son who has been in the PAL Amateur Boxing program for nine years and the Peer Leadership Training program for five years. She has received a Certificate of Completion from the Grant Institute. Sierra Leone is the Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Central Area Neighborhood Organization (CANDO), which oversees Neighborhood Revitalization Program funds. She is also co-owner of 360 Graphics and Promotions, Inc. Sierra Leone is a native of Minneapolis, MN graduating from Burnsville Senior High School and attending the University of Minnesota studying Sociology.

Tiki Blackamore, Youth Accepting Challenge Program Director

TIki has over 14 years working with youth and young adults in the Metropolitan area. She was the Children Enrichment Program Director at the YWCA Transitional Housing Program. For two years Tiki was the Assistant Executive Director at We WIN Institute before coming to the Circle of Discipline. Last year Tiki and one of her YAC students attended the After-School Alliance Conference in Washington DC, 2007, to advocate for after-school programs to elected officials. Tiki was a student at the Minneapolis Community and Technical College studying arts.

Adonis Frazier, Youth Accepting Challenge Instructor & PAL Amateur Boxing Assistant Director

Adonis is a certified national amateur boxing coach through the United States Olympic Committee and USA Boxing. He is not only a coach but has also competed in Amateur and Professional boxing. He has worked in the Minneapolis Public Schools and We WIN Institute as a teacher aid for over 8 years. Adonis successful completed an eight week training through the Organizing Apprenticeship Project, where he learned how to involve and organize the community on various issues. Adonis is a native of Minneapolis, MN graduating from Washburn High School.

Nathaniel Haile has worked with youth and young adults as a mentor through the Circle. He also works with youth and young adults at the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center.

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