top of page

Corner Team, Inc. Uses Sports To Build Strong Minds, Bodies, And Communities.

We work together with community residents and strategic partners to shape the world's future Champions for Life 

Our Mission

Our Story

Our Location

Our TEAM

In The Press

Corner Team uses Olympic-style boxing to strengthen core competencies that improve academic performance, encourage healthy and active lifestyles, and build strong communities of engaged citizens.

The Vision is clear: building strong minds, bodies, and communities creates champions for life--leaders inspiring positive change.
Our Story

Corner Team, Inc. is organized around the longstanding and successful tradition of community sports programs that address holistic well being at the neighborhood level to shape Champions for Life! Engagement in any sports activity provides opportunities for social interaction and skill-building within diverse settings. Sports foster pride and increase self-esteem. Sports teach leadership  and discipline, and support physical, mental, and social fitness. Through sports, Corner Team, Inc. connects our Champions to local resources, mentors, academic tutoring, economic opportunities, and healthy living strategies that grow tomorrow's leaders and inspire the change we want to see for all. 

 

Founded in 2015 by Professional Boxer, and former Ghanaian, National Champion Michael Gbenga as Corner Team Boxing, we are realizing a greater mission that incorporates sports, community engagement, and social innovation. The new Corner Team, Inc has also expanded our mission beyond a focus on youth to include programs that engage senior citizens and people with disabilities populations typically overlooked by organized sports programs but equally in need of the benefits that come from active participation in them.

Why are we called the "Corner Team"?

Corner Team was selected as the name for the small, start-up community-boxing program founded by Professional Boxer Michael Gbenga, from which this organization was born. In the sport of boxing, a fighter’s Corner Team serves as the eyes and ears of the fighter, providing strategy, support, and solid decision-making to ensure that a fighter comes out of his/her bout, a Champion.

 

The symbolism of the Corner Team’s role translates nicely into the mission and vision for Corner Team, Inc. We are here to use sports to engage, build strong minds, bodies, and communities—to ensure that everyone receives the support, tools, and care needed to successfully compete in all challenges faced in life.

What does it mean to be a Corner Team Champion for life?

Everyone who walks through our doors or engages with Corner Team, Inc. are Champions and members of the team! We are inspired by our Champions’ continued pursuit of greatness and support their pursuit through programs and strategic partnerships. In return, we expect our Champions to maintain a level of greatness that allows them to succeed at any challenge they face and in so doing, inspire their families, peers, and surrounding neighborhoods.

​

Our Corner Team Champions exhibit confidence that they can excel in anything they choose to take on because:

​

  1. Our Champions are successful in school, in their studies, and carry a thirst for life-long learning

  2. Our Champions make informed and positive decisions about their health and holistic well being

  3. Our Champions serve as positive leaders among their peers and within their communities.

Who is part of the Corner Team?

The Corner Team is made up of more than our Champions and organization staff. The Corner Team consists of the entire network of support that ensures the success of our Champions and our programs—our families and friends, our volunteers, community partners, financial donors, and city officials. The Corner Team consists of our neighbors who come out to cheer us on when we pass through the streets, celebrate with us at our events, and reach out to our Champions to let them know that they are proud of their accomplishments!

18026386963573826.jpg

OUR TEAM

Corner Team, Inc. staff and volunteers are experts in their fields and bring decades of experience in competitive sports training and coaching, education, mentorship, youth leadership, and program development. Corner Team, Inc. is governed by its Board of Directors according to the organization's Articles of Incorporation and By-laws. We are a diverse group of talented and committed partners, dedicated to ensuring the success of this organization.

​

Our Team

Program Staff

Sara.jpg

Sara Artes

Co-Founder/Acting Executive Director

297825658_745438303345235_37558485989199

Lydell Fletcher

Assistant Coach

image0 (9).jpeg

Sarah Powell

AfroHeat Dance Coach

17920220656799302_edited.jpg

Michael Gbenga

Co-Founder

image0 (10).jpeg

Lamont Medley

Assistant Coach

image0 (3).jpg

D'Juan Nash

Literacy & Leadership Coach

150A6951.png

Savannah Thompson

Programs Administrator

F9D31910-2C04-4F29-AC75-D229C1E59D1A_edited.jpg

Noah Miller

Assistant Coach

DSC_0598.jpg

Latik McNeil

Community Leadership Coach

57221322_2373612119535689_4616354063762587648_n_edited.jpg

Leandra Pauley

Volunteer Coordinator

1616934806841.jpg

Kevin Lee

Assistant Coach

1615385544658.jfif

Brent Hudson

Community Leadership Coach

IMG_8320.JPG.jpg

Abdul Hadi Winder

Head Boxing Coach

IMG_20210328_204633_355.jpg

Sara Cadet

Strength/Conditioning Trainer/Coach

IMG_6913.jpg

Board of Directors

117176486_10157324306276752_3308627315540019177_n.jpg

Miller Roberts, III

Board President

Bio Updated Shortly

file.jpg

Landon White

Secretary

Bio Updated Shortly

DJ Nash Headshot.png

DJ Nash

Board Member

Bio Updated Shortly

18364876549053180.jpg

Brooke Haycock

Board Member

Bio Updated Shortly

IMG_7361.jpg

Shamara Thomas

Secretary

Shamara Thomas, is an aspiring clinical Social Worker in her final year of grad school at Morgan State University, completing her Master of Social Work with a concentration in Urban Youth and Families. Shamara is a Baltimore native, and has been involved in community revitalization and outreach for the past 5 years serving in several capacities such as community outreach coordinator for Central Baltimore Partnership, constituent services director for City Council - District 12, facilitation of community gatherings, and volunteering at several local community events. She currently works as a mental health counselor for an outpatient mental health organization Lifting Stigmas, Changing Lives. Shamara has a passion to serve her hometown of Baltimore city, particularly its youth. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends. "I am thrilled to be a part of Corner Team's board and am happy to assist in any way that I can." 

49203561_10156843961538419_1709041802897522688_n_edited.jpg

Becky Thomson

Board Member

Bio Updated Shortly

Our Board of Directors bring a vast range of knowledge and experience to the task of governing the our organization. 

2022-2023 Advisory Board

bottom of page