Help turn my childhood dream into a reality

The Universe has spoken...

Martial Arts have been an integral part of my life. Since the age of nine, I have always wanted to teach and share the warrior arts with others. Over the years I have taught in a number of places such as parks, elementary schools, community centers, maker spaces, daycares, fitness centers, college campuses, and for a brief period of time I shared space with other martial artists but I have never had a space of my own.

Recently, a colleague in the martial arts community presented me with an opportunity to have an indoor location. Finally, after twenty years of hopping from place to place, there is a chance to have a studio of my own dedicated to the martial arts of Africa and the African Diaspora!

I am elated beyond words but terrified at the same time. I had hope for this for years but to be honest I was not totally prepared to take the first steps. Now that this door has opened I feel confident with the support of my community that we can make this into a safe and successful center for culture, movement, music, and living history.

Our academy would be the first of its kind in Texas, the United States, and perhaps the world, serving as the flagship for HAMAA (Historical African Martial Arts Association) we would be able to build a stable community of skilled practitioners, warrior-scholars if you will, which would enable us to share the arts with others within our community who have no knowledge or access of these traditions. This would serve as an incentive for masters, adepts, and practitioners of the living traditions that we study to share their knowledge and culture by teaching workshops, seminars, and intensives enriching our understanding appreciation of these practices. Hopefully, this will, in turn, provide opportunities to travel and study abroad in these respective communities creating a mutually beneficial relationship across the Atlantic and serving as a tool to dismantle generation and misunderstanding of Africa, its various people, and the beauty and diversity of its many cultures.

Please help me to make this dream a reality.

What does support look like?

My hope is to raise at least 3 to 6 months worth of rent which roughly comes to around $6,000 - 12,000, overhead being $2000. This would allow me time to build and fill classes while still being able to take care of myself and my family.

I know that this is a lot to ask but together we can make it happen. I have included my links to my PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp in case you want to donate directly to me. Thank you for your continued love and support.

PayPal.me/AustinWarriorArts

@DaMon-Stith

$Dstith