You’re invited to join International Boxing Academy of Nashville (IBAN) on September 14, 2019 at 6:30 pm for their inaugural fundraiser, the Brawl In Bordeaux: a night to stand up for Nashville youth. They will have live entertainment, an amateur boxing match between a few of the gym’s boxers, raffle prizes, cake walk, and food vendors. They hope you’ll join them in their efforts for Nashville youth. The event is free. All ages are invited and they are asking everyone to bring a chair or a blanket as it will be held outside of the gym. They hope all of Nashville will join in for a night out for our youth.
Located at 3729 Clarksville Highway, IBAN is a youth boxing and development program dedicated to helping our young people reach their fullest potential through the art and science of boxing and the power of education. They are opening a second location in mid-September in partnership with Metro Parks and the Metro Police Department at Kirk Patrick Community Center. They are quickly expanding and always seeking donors and volunteers to help the program run.
IBAN was established in August 2017 as part of the vision of the Founder and CEO Randall Venson. Venson is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and a proud graduate of Tennessee State University, where he earned a degree in criminal justice. Since 1995, Venson has worked extensively as a community activist, with a focus on youth-oriented concerns, has helped implement youth programs in Metro Public Schools and the Department of Children’s Services.
Randall has collaborated with many organizations, including STARS, the Martha O’Bryan Center, Nashville Prevention Partnership, Metro Police Department D.A.R.E. program, G.A.N.G., Youth Alive, Alive & Free, and Project Return. Randall has worked directly with youth in probation with the Metro Juvenile Justice Center, as well as with men and women incarcerated in the Department of Corrections. He is also an active boxing coach and has trained boxers in and around the Nashville area.
Kristen Dunlap is the Executive Director of IBAN, and while not having much knowledge about the sport of boxing, became a part of the team and never thought twice about not having any knowledge of the sport. The vision that was presented by Founder / CEO Randall Venson was one that was dear to her heart and needed to be addressed. With 22 years of community experience, this mother of four and grandmother of three is very proud of them. She has seen and been through life’s tough times, a victim of youth bullying personally, wished there were options such as boxing, mentoring or other programs to increase her confidence when experienced.
Their fundraising goal is $10,000 to continue and expand their program. They will be fundraising up until the day after the event. The event is free, but they are asking all in attendance to consider donating to their cause. Please reach out to their event coordinator by telephone at 615.400.0028 or email at: ibaofnashville@gmail.com
