A New Brazilian Jiu Jitsu School Has Opened in Providence — With an Inclusive Mission
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
A new Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school has opened in Providence — with an inclusive mission.
Providence BJJ is located at 4 Aurora Street — just off of Valley Street — and GoLocal spoke with owner Marco McWilliams about the new business.
“I wear a few different hats,” McWilliams told GoLocal. “I’m a community organizer; I’m an adjunct faculty member at the University of Rhode Island teaching African-American history and the legal system; and I also teach applied justice at YouthBuild.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIt is McWilliams’ passion for Jiu Jitsu that led to his opening the new gym along with co-owner Mickey Zacchilli.
“I’m doing all the things that I love. I’ve been training for more than twenty years now and I’m a black belt,” he said. “Providence BJJ is a way to bring this martial art to the community, and especially folks who may be marginalized. This is a way for them to build not just power in their bodies, but their community.”
“BJJ is the most effective martial art for practical self-defense,” said McWilliams. “The community needs access to that.”
Access and Affordability
McWiliams stressed that accessibility — and affordability — are two central facets of the new business.
“For a long time, there’s been a barrier to being able to afford to train. Our emphasis is on accessibility,” he said. “And it’s about accessibility in the space. We want a place that doesn’t have any toxic masculinity. We wanted to create a different space that is warm, welcoming and accessible.”
Classes currently are taking place 7 days a week, and there are a range of membership options; McWilliams said that children's classes will be added shortly.
“It’s truly a community space — we’ll have yoga classes; we’ve got a community room,” he added. “You might be there not just doing Jiu Jitsu.”
McWilliams says he is “excited to be one of Providence’s newest black-owned businesses.”
Providence BJJ will be hosting its official grand opening party on Saturday March 4.
The event — which is taking place from 4 to 7 PM — will feature music, food, drinks, screenprinting and more.
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