Our Story
Doing the work from the inside out.
Founded and operated by Willie “The Bam” Johnson, a seven-time World Martial Arts Champion, with Kimber Johnson. The Complete Martial Artist — mind, body and spirit — is the root of everything the foundation does.
Coaching in action — the work as it actually looks.
From the Founder
Since 1989 when my inner purpose and passion were revealed to me from the inside out, I committed myself to doing God’s work.
Willie “The Bam” Johnson · Founder
Influenced by the urban culture of creative expression fused with the time-tested martial arts principles of discipline, honesty, honor, integrity, and awareness, I developed a set of principles that I call the Complete Martial Artist. This is the root of the Urban Spirit Foundation, a 501C nonprofit organization.
Our passion is to bring about profitable change by working to rebuild our “villages” for the safety and positive growth of our pre-teens and teens and to give them options, proven know-how and a vision for a better future.
1989
Since
When the work began
7×
World Champion
Founder Willie “The Bam” Johnson
4
Decades
Of curriculum development
37
Skills
The 37 Chambers curriculum
The Complete Martial Artist
Five principles, learned on the mat.
Urban culture’s creative expression fused with the time-tested martial arts principles the founder names in his own words.
Discipline
Honesty
Honor
Integrity
Awareness
Why It Matters
The Urban Spirit Foundation is committed to nurturing individuals’ mind, body, and spirit through martial arts. When individuals and businesses grow, thrive, and give back to their community, the community becomes stronger and an asset to those in it.
Programs & Services
Mentoring, awareness and outreach
We empower at-risk youth, teenagers, families, and communities with mentoring and general programs focused on behavioral development, veterans services, returning citizens, and awareness training: street safety, disability, sexual assault prevention, anti-bullying, criminal, gun violence, and substance addiction through coaching, entrepreneurship mentoring, and public speaking.
Behavioral development
Coaching and mentoring that builds confidence, discipline and self-control.
Veterans services
Programs for veterans returning to civilian and community life.
Returning citizens
Reentry support through mentorship, training and a path back into the village.
Awareness training
Street safety, disability, sexual assault prevention, anti-bullying, criminal, gun violence and substance addiction.
Entrepreneurship mentoring
The skills to operate a Mobile Dojo and teach anywhere in the community.
Public speaking
Learning to stand up, speak clearly and lead a room.
Core Values
What we train for
Honesty
Open-mindedness
Willingness
Patience
Persistence
Righteousness
Unselfishness
Get Involved
Help rebuild the village.
Enrol a student, fund a course scholarship, or bring a program or speaker to your school, church or community centre.