Persistence with a Purpose: Why Community Leaders Stand Behind DBNO

In every strong community, there are champions who stand behind the scenes—people who show up, speak up, and invest in the future. For DBNO, one of those champions is Jeff Matthews, an educator and mentor who has witnessed the organization’s impact up close.

Jeff first connected with Alphonso Bailey through a prison ministry program. At first, he hesitated. “Alphonso invited me a few times before I finally said yes,” Jeff said. “But once I saw what he was doing—his passion, his story, and how he connected with people—it was clear this was something special.”

Their collaboration led to the creation of a school-based boxing and character development program at Warren Central High School. “We started with just a handful of kids,” Jeff said. “But it grew fast. In a matter of weeks, we had over 50 students showing up.”

Jeff was struck not only by the turnout, but by the transformation. “These kids weren’t just learning how to throw punches. They were learning how to carry themselves, how to stay focused, and how to deal with life. Alphonso brought a level of care and commitment I hadn’t seen before.”

When the pandemic forced the program to pause, Alphonso kept going—refining the vision for DBNO, looking for a permanent space, and building a movement. “It doesn’t matter if DBNO reaches 500 kids or just five,” Jeff said. “If it changes even one life, it’s worth it. And I’ve already seen it change more than that.”