New Sheboygan boxing gym opens and art/dance studio space under way

SHEBOYGAN – Michael Thomas, pastor and president of Sheboygan Black-American Community Outreach, saw Sheboygan's love for boxing after tournaments at the Juneteenth celebration last year.

To follow that passion and provide a community space for expression, he recently opened the Midwest Boxing Champions and plans to open Beauty Art Dance University soon at the former Sunnyside Mall.

Thomas had a boxing stint about 15 years ago when he lived on an Ojibwe reservation, competing at the U.S.A. Boxing amateur level and winning a couple Golden Gloves trophies.

He wanted to continue boxing, but work wouldn't allow it.

Thomas hopes Midwest Boxing Champions can reach amateur status and partner with MMA instructors to ready boxers for competition.

The EBCO center on Erie Avenue once housed a boxing club and several local gyms offer boxing, but Thomas said MBC is the only exclusive boxing gym in the Sheboygan area.

It offers training sessions for youth and adults to box with each other, shadow and use equipment.

MBC could create a space for the whole community, especially young people, to seek mentorship and self-expression, Thomas said.

"If they have a safe space that they could participate in something that they love, then they wouldn't make some decisions that can set them back," he said.

Beauty Art Dance University will offer affordable dance and art classes to youth and adults, in part because Thomas, a father to three daughters, recognized affordability and accessibility gaps among studios in the area.

"My kids are active, but we're not in a position to be able to afford a dance company, with one kid that it cost almost $400 alone ... and that's just to walk through the door," Thomas said.

"I also noticed that there weren't many kids of color, and I wanted all kids to be able to afford to do something that they're passionate about and be able to express themselves," he added.

In the future, he hopes to build up a competitive dance team and secure sponsors or donors for youth scholarships.

BAD University is expected to open in the next couple weeks and could offer jazz, lyrical, praise and worship, salsa and hip-hop dance classes.

The studio has a dance instructor for ages 8-12 but still needs a dance instructor for teenagers and an art instructor.

Thomas said the building was ready for use but hopes to add upgrades to the spaces, like a new floor and more mirrors in the dance studio. The gym is also seeking donations for gear and equipment.

MBC will host a fundraiser at the gym from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 31. Plates with barbecued chicken, macaroni and cheese, baked beans and a drink will be available for $15.

MBC also has an Amazon wish list (click here) and GoFundMe page (click here).

Midwest Boxing Champions and Beauty Art Dance University are at 1224 Weeden Creek Road.

MBC offers adult training sessions 5-7 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 12:30-2:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Training sessions for youth 5 years old and older are offered 4-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays.

Teenage participants will be placed in adult sessions.

For adults, an unlimited plan for six days a week is $65 and a limited training plan for 12 days a month is $45.

For youth, an unlimited plan for a month is $45 and a limited plan for 12 days a month is $25.

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Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @alexx_garner.