Frequent check-ins with caring adults help our fighters navigate life's difficult circumstances-- from asking a date to prom or preparing for a job interview, to dealing with the death of a friend or family strife. Our fighters know they never have to be alone, and this fuels their success.
More than boxing
We contribute to the momentum of improving Chicago's future by attracting youth least likely to join mentoring and tutoring programs-- the kids who like
to fight.
We offer an enriching opportunity for no cost to the 100 youth enrolled and their families. Once enrolled, we connect them to mentors, engage them in academic services, and expand their horizons with college trips and explorational learning
-
Mentoring
Mentoring
-
Academic Support
Academic Support
Ranging from silent study time to one-on-on tutoring, all fighters are supported in reaching rigorous academic milestones. College trips help fighters set goals, while volunteers devote their time to helping the fighters achieve those goals.
-
Boxing
Boxing
From the hobbyist to the Olympic enthusiast, all fighters receive character-first boxing training in a safe, warm environment led by proven trainers.
-
Pantry
Pantry
Since June of 2020, our pantry has distributed thousands of pounds high-quality fresh produce to our neighbors each month. Our fighters and neighbors know they can count on us for fresh food, canned goods, household items, period products and more.
Jamyle CannonThe Bloc contributes to the momentum improving Chicago's future by attracting youth least likely to join mentoring and tutoring programs-- the kids who like to fight.
Our Team
-
Jamyle Cannon
Executive DirectorExecutive DirectorJamyle Cannon is the Founder and Executive of The Bloc. He is the 2009 National Collegiate Boxing Champion and a Teach for America Alumni member. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from the University of Kentucky and a Masters in Education from Arizona State University. In 2016, after building a popular boxing program in his classroom, Cannon combined his love for youth development, boxing, and education to form The Bloc.
He has been recognized as a 2022 Luminary Award winner, CNN Hero, a 4-Star Chicagoan by Windy City Live, an Economic Game Changer by the New Covenant Community Development Corporation, profiled as one of the Hardest Working Voices in Sports by Chicago Sun-Times, awarded the Rich O’Leary Community Sports Award at Notre Dame University, and is generally considered by the fighters in The Bloc to be the baddest man alive.
He has sincere plans to change the after school landscape of Chicago’s West Side and provide community-building resources to his neighbors.
-
Carla Arias-Chavez
Director of OperationsDirector of OperationsCarla Arias-Chavez is the Director of Operations for The Bloc. Carla comes to us with 20 years of experience in Operations. While she scaled a multi-million dollar business, she was working toward equity in the workplace with a focus on finding returning citizens jobs. She and her wife live close to the Bloc community, ensuring her work truly touches those around her.
-
Sabrina Canchola
Program ManagerProgram ManagerSabrina Canchola is a Chicago Northwest side native and serves as one of our Program Managers at The Bloc. Her work ensures our fighters are experiencing high quality and meaningful programming, as well as managing our data to demonstrate The Bloc's success through our day to day activities. Sabrina is also currently earning her MA in Social Sector Leadership and Nonprofit Management at The University of Chicago, and is looking forward to growing as a nonprofit leader with The Bloc to continue bridging together grassroots community organizations so that we all prosper. Outside of work and school, Sabrina loves being crafty, spending time with family, and watching reality TV.
-
Lee Torres
Boxing ManagerBoxing ManagerLee Acevedo Torres - grandson of Maria Luisa and son of Eileen - is known around The Bloc as Coach Lee. He has been around Boxing for over 35 years. As a Fighter, he is a 2x Chicago Golden Gloves Champion. As a Coach, he has helped trained Fighters to win the Chicago Golden Gloves, Tacoma Junior Golden Gloves and the Regional Silver Gloves.
He is grateful for the opportunity to work with our Fighters and help them to grow and learn to make more conscious choices so that they can be the Champions of their own lives both inside and outside of the Ring. -
Jay-R Escalante
Boxing Trainer -
Johnny Arrington Jr.
Boxing Program Partnership ManagerBoxing Program Partnership ManagerJohnny Arrington Jr is our boxing program partnership manager at the bloc. He is leading our efforts to provide after school programming to schools on Chicago’s west side using our train the trainer model. Johnny came to us by way of Youth Guidance’s Becoming a Man program (BAM), and before that he was the director of the harvey boxing club, where he oversaw a hugely successful program. Johnny has his Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communication, from North Central College.
Johnny is most proud of the fact that he delivered both of his daughters at home, during their respective unassisted home births!
Johnny enjoys being a family man, nature, staying active, engaging with others, sharing dad jokes, and a good movie. -
Darleen Harris
Youth Support SpecialistYouth Support SpecialistDarleen Harris is a Youth Support Specialist at The Bloc. She ensures that we’re implementing programming in a way that engages the fighters and that positively impacts them. Darleen was born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, a member of the founding class of DRW, where the bloc originated, and a UIUC Alumni. At UIUC, she studied social work and gender & women’s studies. She is hoping to provide the right information to help fighters with mental health, academics, career planning and boxing. Outside of work, Darleen enjoys being a mother, business owner, and watching documentaries.
-
Andres Garduno
Youth Support Specialist -
Adreiona Jennings
Youth Support SpecialistYouth Support SpecialistAdreiona Jennings has been working with youth and young adults since September 2015 where her former position was Program Manager at a
non-profit organization on Chicago’s West and South Sides. Prior to transitioning into non-profit, she has been a volunteer in her church’s
youth ministry department since 2010. As a youth leader at her church, she was the keynote speaker at an annual conference that is held for
youth around Chicago. She also holds small groups and individual sessions as a youth leader. In addition to that she has had the opportunity
to travel to different countries to uplift and empower women around the world. In her role at The Bloc, Adreiona develops weekly group sessions
with topics that vary from identity, leadership, self-esteem, dating, and
social media just to name a few. In addition to the small groups, she meets with her youth one on one to provide additional support to not just them but the families as well.
Adreiona’s passion is to help create leaders and let youth know they have a voice and they have the capability to change not just their neighborhood, or the community around them but they can change the world. -
Moises Rivera
Youth Support CoordinatorYouth Support CoordinatorMoises Rivera is Youth Support Specialist at The Bloc. He is dedicated to help Chicago youth excel in all aspects of their lives not just academically. Moises was born in Jalisco, Mexico but has lived in Chicago for a majority of his life. He is a recent graduate of DePauw University where he majored in Anthropology and minored in Latin American and Caribbean studies. Outside of work he likes watching movies, trying new food, and spending time with friends and family
Board of Directors
-
Jamyle Cannon
Founder · The Bloc
-
Jarrett Annenberg
SVP & Head of Investments · NewLake Capital
-
Adrian Segura
Founder and Pricipal · The Luminary Collective
-
Andrea Dawkins
CEO · Dawkins Advisory Group