SIDEKICKS Academy, Inc.

SIDEKICKS stands for Students Involved in Discipline Education, Keyed Into Claiming Knowledge and Success, and is a behavioral health intervention program that takes the principles of academic success, respect, and social justice, and combines them with the teaching of the basic skills of the Korean martial art of taekwondo. Our Academy seeks to provide a trauma-sensitive and therapeutic learning environment dedicated to the treatment of the whole student, specifically students of color, while delivering a uniquely rewarding martial arts program that includes social-emotional support, self-advocacy and supportive coaching for Durham’s rising leaders. We realize that Durham’s communities of color are in desperate need of a program that will provide its youth with opportunities to succeed. Therefore, SIDEKICKS Academy is working to stand in that gap by committing to reducing disparities among some of Durham’s most marginalized communities, and strengthening the leadership qualities in Durham Public Schools’ Black and brown students impacted by the realities of community violence, trauma, and homelessness. SIDEKICKS’ ongoing efforts and dedication to collaborating with Burton and R.N. Harris Elementary Schools have already greatly positively impacted their boys of color. As a result of the Academy, schools have seen increased parent and community engagement in student support and school events, and teachers have noticed a reduction in aggressive behaviors, improved academic performance, and improved attendance rates of SIDEKICKS participants. Due to popular demand, SIDEKICKS has recently begun a girls of color training program.