Coach Derek Brown knows firsthand the hardships of growing up on Chicago’s West Side. Once known as “Shotgun,” he joined a gang at just thirteen, spending much of his early life caught between the streets and jail. By his twenties, he had survived being shot, and his best friend had been lost to gun violence.

Now, Coach Brown is dedicated to rebuilding the same community he once helped tear down. Determined to prevent the next generation from experiencing the struggles he faced, he launched his grassroots program in 2009. Starting outside Penn Elementary, he began meeting youth after school for physical training. Boxing quickly became the activity that captured their attention. As Coach Brown puts it, “You want to fight? Well, bring your bad self over here.”

As youth advance in the sport, they encounter what Coach Brown calls “sneak discipline”—the hard work and dedication required to excel in the ring. But the program goes far beyond boxing. At its core, it's about promoting anti-violence through youth empowerment. Boxing becomes a tool to instill self-respect, confidence, and a sense of purpose—all within a culture of positivity.

Boxing Out Negativity seamlessly integrates physical training with mentorship, motivational discussions, and civic engagement, helping young people recognize their potential and chart a brighter future.