Bed-Stuy martial arts gym fights to stay open

Families say his school teaches children and adults martial arts, but also steps in if someone needs food, clothes or a place to stay.

News 12 Staff

Feb 20, 2022, 7:31 PM

Updated 962 days ago

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A Bed-Stuy dojo that helps keep kids off the streets is in danger of closing due to the pandemic.
The Humble School of Martial Arts, located on Fulton Street, was founded by Sabu Lewis. Families say his school teaches children and adults martial arts, but also steps in if someone needs food, clothes or a place to stay.
Lewis has been a fixture in the Bed-Stuy community for 45 years - but during the COVID-19 pandemic, he lost 85% of his students. While most of his remaining students have taken their classes over Zoom, Lewis has gone into debt trying to keep up with rent.
Lewis says he's applied for loans and different stimulus programs but has been told he doesn't quality, which is why he is turning to online fundraising in a last chance effort to save the school.