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.

Sierra Leone Samuels, Executive Director

Sierra Leone was elected by her community to represent them on the Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization (CANDO) Board of Directors, which oversees Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) funds, and is currently the President of the Board. She was also recently voted elected by her peers in to hold as the Chief of Officials position for the Local Boxing Committee Board of Directors in the state of Minnesota. She is a 3rd level USA Amateur Boxing official and . She has received the National Golden Gloves Outstanding Official award in 2006 and the 2007 Best First Time Official at the National USA Tournament. Sierra Leone and her son are past participants of Circle of Discipline programming and she has volunteered for over 10 years for the Circle of Discipline. Sierra Leone is a native of Minneapolis, MN graduating from Burnsville Senior High School and attending the University of Minnesota studying Sociology.

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, Volunteer

Nathaniel 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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