For 13-year-old Jadyn, Saturday’s Courage Project was a chance to get outside, learn self-defense and spend time around positive mentors.
“I tell him to just try his best and go for it because it can really be good for him in the long run,” Jadyn said of what he would tell another young person considering the program.
Presented by 52 Blocks AOD, The Courage Project brought boys ages 7 to 17 to Piedmont Park on Aug. 8 for a free two-hour event focused on self-defense, leadership, discipline, mentorship and conflict de-escalation. The event was designed to give young Black boys practical skills while helping them build confidence, respect and resilience.
52 Blocks AOD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that teaches 52 Blocks, an African American martial arts style paired with boxing to emphasize defense. The organization focuses on anti-bullying tactics, conflict resolution, self-defense and mentorship for urban youth.
Coach ATL, one of the lead instructors with 52 Blocks AOD, said the organization created the Courage Project to help young Black boys develop the discipline and determination to pursue their goals.
“52 Blocks AOD is a Black man’s martial arts system,” Coach ATL said. “Now, why we want to start the Courage Project is to give students, young Black men, a chance to be the best they can be.”
Coach ATL said the program is about more than fighting. Instructors emphasize respect, integrity and learning how to make decisions before reacting emotionally.
“Conflict. Listen, a lot of times, conflict is by choice. It’s all about how you handle it,” he said.
Elijah Kernahan, an instructor and student with 52 Blocks AOD, said the martial art appealed to him because of its connection to Black American culture.
“It is strictly from Black American culture, and that’s what I liked about it,” Kernahan said. “Because not a lot of Black American martial arts are in the spotlight.”
For Kernahan, courage means “never giving up and never admitting defeat.” He said participants can learn that self-defense does not always mean fighting.
“I hope that they go home learning that hey, I don’t always have to use my fists to de-escalate,” Kernahan said. “I can use my words, I can walk away, or I can just avoid it if I can.”
Kevin Dolby, also known as Coach K, said his own experience with bullying helped inspire his work with the nonprofit. He said being bullied when he was younger contributed to him turning to guns and getting into trouble.
“It’s just because you’re not confident,” Dolby said. “When you’re confident to know how to defend yourself, then you won’t run and go get a gun so quick[ly].”
Dolby said the Courage Project is a 52 Blocks AOD event focused on bullying, conflict resolution and self-defense.
Rashad Bey, founder of the Home Sweet Home Foundation and a partner in the event, helped organize the program with 52 Blocks AOD. His nonprofit focuses on uplifting humanity and initially specialized in helping people qualify for homes.
Bey said empowering young Black boys is important because they can be vulnerable to systemic challenges.
“Programs like these are super important in my eyes, which is why we even go outside of the scope of what we particularly do with our nonprofit because it’s a priority,” he said.
Parents also saw value in providing young people with positive spaces and mentors.
Kristina, who brought her son Nicholas after seeing the event on Facebook, said she wanted him exposed to more positive male role models.
“This looked like a positive group to bring him around, around more positive men,” she said.
Delora, who brought her grandsons Demarian and Demarius, said she hoped they would gain confidence while learning how to protect themselves.
“I would say the lessons, like… being more confident in themselves,” she said.
While watching her grandsons participate, Delora said she noticed one become more confident and interact more than he initially had.
Jadyn said his favorite part was getting outside and getting fresh air. He also learned “just listening and just following rules” and said courage meant “being pushed into doing something.”
For Bey, courage is “bravery, but it’s not foolishness.”
That idea reflects the broader goal of the Courage Project: teaching young people that strength can include knowing when to defend themselves, when to walk away and how to make decisions that protect their futures.
The organization plans to hold additional Courage Project seminars quarterly, according to Coach ATL.
