CIRCLE OF DISCIPLINE, INC. STAFF
Sankara Frazier - Executive Director
Sankara Frazier is a lifelong Minneapolis resident whose family roots in Minnesota date back to the 1800s. With more than 30 years of dedicated community service, his work has centered on youth development, family support, and empowerment. His journey began early on as a co-founder of the Southside Youth Neighborhood Organization (SYNO), which focused on community projects and family enrichment. In addition, Sankara has served as a licensed foster parent, continuing his lifelong commitment to youth and family well-being.
A lifelong boxer, Sankara began his training as a child at the Pillsbury House and Phyllis Wheatley Center under the guidance of coaches Eddie Lacey, Danny Davis, and his father, the late Bishop Stanley Neil Frazier. Over the years, he has trained and coached in gyms across Minneapolis, St. Paul, Ohio, California, and New York which prompted him to open the Circle of Discipline in Minneapolis in 1993.
Currently, he is a Level IV International USA Boxing Coach certified by the United States Olympic Committee and USA Boxing. He has coached multiple nationally ranked amateur athletes and was selected in 2007 to serve as an assistant coach for the USA Cadet Boxing Team in Baku, Azerbaijan. Sankara is also a trainer for professional boxers and a Grand Master in Martial Arts, holding a 10th Degree Black Sash in Wu Shu (Kung Fu). His expertise has led him to train a wide range of individuals, including world champions, Olympic athletes, and professionals from the entertainment and public safety sectors.
Beyond athletics, Sankara is an accomplished entrepreneur and owner of an executive protection security company. His leadership and service have been recognized with the Abbott Northwestern Hospital “Abby” Award and the Martin Luther King Jr. “Local Legend” Award. A lifelong learner and mentor, Sankara continues to grow, train, and inspire others to reach their fullest potential—embodying the very spirit of the Circle of Discipline.
Adonis Frazier - Fitness Director and USA Boxing National Trainer and Coach
Adonis Frazier is a Minneapolis native and proud graduate of Washburn High School. A lifelong community advocate, he has worked extensively in Minneapolis-area schools and played a key role in developing partnerships between Brooklyn Park Junior High and the Circle of Discipline, Inc. His work centers on empowering youth through mentorship, leadership development, and the discipline of boxing.
Before becoming the Circle’s Fitness Director, Adonis was both an amateur and professional boxer, competing alongside some of the sport’s most notable names, including Floyd Mayweather, Antonio Tarver, and the late Diego Corrales. After sustaining an injury that ended his boxing career, he turned his passion toward youth engagement—using his background in boxing and his creativity as a performer in the hip-hop group The C.O.R.E. (Children of Righteous Elevation) to reach and inspire at-risk youth.
A certified Level III USA Boxing Coach through the United States Olympic Committee, Adonis has served as Vice President of the Minnesota USA Boxing Board, organizing state and regional tournaments that have produced national champions and Olympic hopefuls. He earned his One-Star AIBA coaching certification in 2018 and has since coached internationally with the USA Elite and Youth Teams in Colorado Springs, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Columbia and many other countries.
In 2024, Adonis was selected as an Assistant Coach for the U.S. Boxing Team at the Paris Olympic Games. He continues to work closely with USA Boxing, training athletes and mentoring coaches pursuing their USA Boxing Silver Certification. His commitment to leadership, community, and excellence embodies the mission of the Circle of Discipline—empowering youth to discover their strength, purpose, and potential both in and out of the ring.
Nathaniel Haile - Volunteer Coach and USA Boxing National Trainer
Nathaniel “Kid” Haile has been part of the Circle of Discipline since its founding in 1991, first stepping into the ring as an amateur boxer. His nickname, “Kid,” was inspired by his fighting style, reminiscent of welterweight champion Kid Gavilán of the late 1940s. A proud South Minneapolis native, Kid graduated from Roosevelt High School and attended the University of Minnesota.
Over the years, Kid has served the Circle in many capacities, including as a Youth Representative and Treasurer on the Board of Directors. He has also worked as a YAC (Youth Accepting Challenge) Instructor at Sanford Middle School, Roosevelt High School, and El Colegio. In addition to his work in education, he is employed at the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center, where he supports youth in custody and connects them to community resources.
Today, Kid is a Program Manager with the Linked Circle and serves as the coach of the Circle’s amateur boxing team and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Circle of Discipline facility. His decades of dedication, mentorship, and leadership continue to embody the Circle’s mission of empowering youth through discipline, community, and personal growth.
Jamal James - Assistant Trainer, Mentor, and Pursuit of Discipline Facilitator
Jamal James has been part of the Circle of Discipline family since the age of five. He began volunteering at just ten years old—teaching boxing techniques to younger members and helping at community events and fundraisers. Today, he serves as an assistant trainer, mentor, and advocate at the Circle, where he leads a leadership group for young men and women focused on navigating life’s challenges with confidence and purpose.
Known nationally by his ring name “SHANGO,” Jamal is a former welterweight champion with the World Boxing Association (WBA). Jamal uses his platform to inspire the next generation—showing that humility, hard work, discipline, and faith can turn dreams into reality. He credits the Circle of Discipline for instilling these values and continues to give back to the community that helped shape who he is today.
Ame Navarro - 360 Advocacy Coordinator
Tlauhitzin “Ame” Rojas Navarro is a dedicated youth advocate and community professional with extensive experience in education, human services, and organizational management. Currently serving as a Youth Case Manager at Linked Circle, Ame supports at-risk youth through individualized service plans, resource coordination, and advocacy.
With over six years at Hennepin Schools in roles ranging from Special Education Assistant to School Registrar and Human Resources lead, Ame has built a strong foundation in student support, family engagement, and staff development. Ame is also the Advocate Coordinator at Circle of Discipline, where she supports youth programming and administrative operations.
Fluent in Spanish and deeply committed to equity and access, Ame brings a compassionate and solutions-oriented approach to every role she serves—empowering youth and families to reach their full potential.
Rhobelle Tekle – Volunteer Pursuit of Discipline Facilitator and Volunteer
Rhobelle Tekle is a South Minneapolis native who has volunteered with the Circle of Discipline for more than 12 years. A proud graduate of Roosevelt High School (honors) and Hamline University, Rhobelle is also a business owner and manager at a Fortune 500 insurance company.
His connection to the Circle is deeply personal—having once been an inner-city youth who relied on programs like the Circle of Discipline to find structure, belonging, and purpose. Now, he gives back by mentoring young people and supporting families through advocacy, school engagement, and community outreach. Whether meeting with teachers to help students stay on track academically or working with parents to strengthen communication at home, Rhobelle leads with empathy, accountability, and care.
He believes the Circle of Discipline is far more than a boxing gym—it is a family built on unity, respect, and shared purpose. Through his service, Rhobelle strives to help the next generation grow into disciplined, confident, and compassionate young adults who will one day do the same for others.
Dondrell Gatlin – Assistant Trainer and Volunteer
Dondrell has been an Assistant Trainer with the Circle of Discipline for more than 15 years, dedicating his time and energy to helping youth and young adults build strong bodies, healthy habits, and confident minds. His hands-on approach and commitment to mentorship create an encouraging environment where participants are challenged to grow—both inside and outside the gym.
A passionate martial artist and lifelong learner, Dondrell leads by example, demonstrating the values of discipline, perseverance, and respect. His goal is to empower young people to reach their full potential and carry the lessons learned at the Circle into every area of their lives.
Dante Rivera – Assistant Trainer
Dante River has been part of the boxing world for decades, bringing a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to his work at the Circle of Discipline. A committed coach and mentor, Dante works tirelessly to train and inspire young athletes—helping them grow not only in their boxing skills but also in confidence, discipline, and character.
Known for his positive energy and teamwork, Dante is a valued member of the Circle coaching staff. He motivates youth with words of encouragement and wisdom, guiding them both in the ring and in life, and remains dedicated to helping every participant reach their highest potential.
