MYA officially opened their doors at 5332 Georgia Avenue in July 2022.

by Sacha Haworth

If you’re a parent of young children in DC, you’re well-acquainted with the part-sweepstakes, part-Hunger Games race that is getting your child into a summer camp. There aren’t nearly enough spots to feed demand.

Fortunately, if you’re still looking for a summer activity for your child while school is out, or are simply looking for a way to fill your own days, an award-winning youth boxing academy has recently relocated to Petworth and is offering summer programming.

Founded 45 years ago, the Midtown Youth Academy aims to prepare underserved youth for success in educational and future endeavors by helping them to develop skills, self-discipline and cohesive relationships through sports. Coaches and instructors use boxing and the gym as a vehicle to engage with middle- and high-school-aged youth, with the goal of helping them succeed in school and professionally. Graduates of the school include World Champion boxers Lisa “Too Fierce” Foster and Toni Keese.

The philosophy comes from the life experience of the founder, the late Eugene “Thunder” Hughes (Gene), who was raised along with thirteen brothers and sisters in DC and discovered boxing as a way to channel his energy and escape a “life of drifting and drugs.” He would go on to become a boxing champion and trainer, and in 1977 founded what is now known as the Midtown Youth Academy, offering what he called a “safe haven” for children, as well as a boxing gym for youth and adults.

Gene died in 2018, having been recognized for his service to the community many times over, including receiving the Black History Achievement Award (1999, 2007), the Boxing All Star Trainer of the Year Award (2001), the Mayor’s Community Service Award (2003), the Lifetime Commitment to Youth Award (2013), and being named Washingtonian of the Year in 1989.

MYA is now run by a team of instructors composed of experienced athletes, resilience instructors, and an army of volunteer tutors and mentors, and their programming supports youth aged nine to seventeen.

After operating further south on 14th for 40 years, MYA officially opened their doors at 5332 Georgia Avenue in July 2022.

MYA is also looking for an administrative assistant intern to assist in fundraising and grant requests and administrative duties, an excellent part-time or full-time job for out-of-school high school students.

For more information on their programs, or to start the enrollment process, visit their website.