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There’s a rhythm that beats in the air at Dallas’ Ring of Hope Boxing Club, where kids move lightly from foot to foot, swinging with precision and purpose. Their movements are careful and deliberate, attracting the attention of everyone around them.
Shadowboxing teaches young boxers muscle memory and discipline to strengthen their mental, spiritual and physical strength.
The children are proud to show their hard work and skills. The families and leaders are hopeful and grateful that this day has finally arrived.
For months, the Dallas Mavs and Mavs Foundation, along with jersey patch sponsor Chime, have worked tirelessly to bring a new technology center to life at the Dallas Leadership Foundation’s Ring of Hope Boxing Club.
The doors are officially open today.
Dallas Mavs swingman Theo Pinson is on hand to join in the festivities.
“I want the kids to understand how important it is to have those relationships first,” said Pinson, who signed a new one-year deal this summer. “It’s important for them to have that computer lab. It’s a great benefit and I recommend that all (the kids) take advantage of this technology center.”
The facility is a labor of love for an NBA team that passionately cares for the community.
Many Mavs employees helped bring the new center to life by putting furniture together.
It’s full of new laptops, furniture, projectors, school supplies and artwork to inspire hope.
“Don’t tell people your plans, show them your results,” he says in his tech lab. In the updated conference room, the futuristic Dallas skyline is splashed against the walls in bright white clouds.
New dreams and aspirations are born within these walls. Families reunite. Students must apply to colleges. The older generation comes to learn technology from the kids they help. It is above the middle. It is a center of hope.
“We work with 13 different neighborhoods across the city … what you’re doing is bringing in essential resources,” said Will McCall, president of the Dallas Leadership Foundation.
We work with about 22,000 people here and a lot of people need food assistance, they need help getting their neighborhoods cleaned up and they need help getting out of prison and back to work. We are very excited about this technology center. A big thank you to the Mavericks Foundation, Mavericks, for the gift that allows us to be a gift to this community.
Ring of Hope was launched in 2010 in partnership with the Bolos Foundation and the Dallas Leadership Foundation. In 2010 Together, they established a space for Dallas youth to develop physical and spiritual education through training and mentoring for at-risk youth. .
The Mavs and the Mavs Foundation provided the organization with funding to renovate the facility. When it came time to officially designate the new center, Pinson jumped at the chance to serve.
He was the perfect person to talk to the children. Most people know about Pinson’s outgoing personality, but few understand his concern for other people. His mother, Barbara, said he had a “big, big heart.”
Pinson’s story is one of overcoming the odds and finding joy in the midst of the unknown.
After breaking his leg twice in college, Pinson powered through through injuries and ultimately helped North Carolina win the 2017 NCAA Championship. In the year He went undrafted in 2018 and later showed greatness with various NBA teams, but struggled to find his footing. Then, coincidentally, the Mavericks were hit hard by Covid-19 last December. Pinson joined the team on a hardship allowance and became an instant hit with his teammates.
As the calendar turns to 2022, Pinson’s dreams are revealed one by one. He signed a contract with the Mavs, moved to a new city, became a father, and solidified his important role with the Mavs as the team advanced to the Western Conference Finals.
The same heart and spirit that made him a fan in the NCAA translated well in the NBA. Pinson’s message to the kids at Ring of Hope was about finding purpose and keeping a positive attitude.
“Everybody use what you have,” Pinson told the youth. “You’re all ahead of the game. I just want you to have fun. You can’t miss the fun part. Even in the NBA, a lot of guys don’t have fun, they’re just there for the pay. Keep having fun and take advantage of all these people trying to support you and your dreams.
Melissa Williams has seen the impact of Ring of Hope firsthand. She is a mother of five daughters and deliberately stayed in the area when many people emigrated. She feels called to build and support the community from within.
“A lot of people here don’t have basic needs and technology is such a big deal now that you need it for everything,” Williams said. “So the computers are important. This institution is truly a blessing. My kids attended summer camp here and it can be hard to find positive things for them to do during the summer. I bring them here and they get a positive mentor. Now they have a technology center and something interesting.
The institute is run by leaders who inspire children and teenagers to hope and dream. They start the session by talking about different topics and leaders and then use their own personal stories and testimonies to make connections.
Then they move on to the boxing program and physical training.
Leaders say the program teaches young athletes about sacrifice, accountability and respect — lessons the kids need in the ring and in life.
Katie Edwards, president of the Mavs Foundation, said the organization is excited to partner with CHIM and bring its vision to life.
“We’re so excited to be here,” Edwards told the children gathered at the ceremony.
“This gift is very important to us to give to the Dallas Leadership Foundation and to the area and community. You guys have some special new things in you….to study, mentor, after school or summer. It is also for the community. We are excited to open the doors and invite you to see all the new renovations today.
Technology is playing a big role in Pinson’s life these days as well. He recently launched a new podcast called “Run Your Run”. His passion is to talk basketball, but beyond the court to share insight, advice and hope. Working with the young Thursday gave him a renewed desire to use his platform to create change. He believes that everyone, especially children, should have the opportunity to run their own race.
“I think kids and everyone else need to hear that traveling isn’t always easy,” Pinson said. “There are always ups and downs and it’s how you take that and move forward.”
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