Empowering Girls through Boxing: Claressa Shields Surprises Two Youth Boxers on TV’s Tamron Hall Show
- Raquel Harris
- Oct 7
- 5 min read
We are proud to share that two of our own, Aria Garcia and Kelly Marte, recently appeared on ABC's, the Tamron Hall Show, where they received a surprise they will never forget. During a special segment highlighting young women in boxing, three-time world champion Claressa Shields surprised the girls in person, leaving them smiling, crying, and completely overjoyed.
Aria and Kelly believed they were simply there to share how boxing has inspired their lives. Instead, they were surprised to come face-to-face with two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields; an athlete they admire for her achievements both inside and outside the ring. Claressa’s message was clear; she wanted to encourage girls in boxing, whether or not they’ve ever stepped into a competitive ring, to keep showing up, keep training, and keep believing in themselves.
The surprise was shared by everyone at Ring of Hope, but carefully kept secret until the big reveal. Even their moms, who were in the audience, knew what was coming. Alongside them was Coach Dani (Daniela Arellano), Ring of Hope coach and a current boxing champion, who proudly represented our organization on national television. The joy and pride in that studio were unforgettable, reminding everyone why we do this work.
Aria and Kelly’s Journey with Ring of Hope
Both Aria and Kelly have been part of Ring of Hope since they were twelve years old, beginning their boxing journey at Baychester Middle School. From the start, they’ve shown the kind of passion, discipline, and leadership that define the heart of our programs.
Kelly Marte, who is the face of our In the Ring program, first joined Ring of Hope through our school-based boxing classes. She began coming to practice at 7 a.m., Monday through Thursday, showing remarkable commitment for a middle school student. The program launched during the winter, yet Kelly showed up every morning (rain, snow, or shine) and ended her first year with the highest attendance among all participants. In addition to boxing, students also took part in sports career workshops. Kelly won an internship opportunity based on her performance in the workshops and went on to work as a sports reporter for our annual fundraiser, Championing Dreams. The following year, she stepped into a role as our lead sports reporter, guiding our newest reporters.
Aria Garcia has experienced a variety of creative and leadership roles through our organization. From working as a content creator her first year to performing at Championing Dreams, Chapter II, Aria continues to explore her talents. She also assisted in teaching classes over the summer and earned recognition as a Youth Mayoral Award finalist for her volunteerism.
Aria initially started the program at 12, took a break, and then came back with a renewed sense of purpose. When she returned, she was eager to get involved - volunteering to assist with outreach and helping us promote upcoming programs. Seeing the results of her own efforts helped her build a deeper connection with the Ring of Hope community.
That leadership stood out right away, and we decided to cultivate her potential through a comprehensive internship with our team. Since returning, Aria has developed a real passion for boxing. She wants to become a professional boxer and, one day, a Ring of Hope coach. Her volunteerism and involvement never take away from her own training; she’s learned how to balance both with discipline, focus, and maturity.
Our annual fundraiser, Championing Dreams, gives students an opportunity to have a spot inside or outside the ring, including those who take on youth commentating roles to cover the event. Leading up to Chapter II, Aria prepared the selected youth commentators through mock sessions, sharing feedback, and building their confidence behind the mic.
Outside of her internship work, Aria’s athletic progress has continued to grow and earned her a scholarship to train full-time through our In the Ring program, a path reserved for our most promising athletes. We look forward to seeing her make her amateur debut in Championing Dreams, Chapter III, as she continues to set the standard for excellence among our youth boxers.
Staying Connected Through “In the Ring”
Now high school students, both Aria and Kelly remain active through our In the Ring program, which provides free boxing classes in partnership with local gyms across the Bronx. This initiative helps our young athletes stay engaged and visible in the sport while continuing to grow as leaders in their communities.
Inspiration Beyond the Show
Since appearing on the Tamron Hall Show, both girls have been more inspired than ever. Their energy, focus, and motivation have only grown and their story continues to inspire other young women in our programs to dream big and step confidently into their own potential.
Moments like this remind us that empowerment doesn’t just come from championships or trophies. It comes from seeing yourself represented, celebrated, and supported from realizing that your story matters.
For Kelly, this moment was especially meaningful. After taking a brief break from boxing, she stayed connected to Ring of Hope through Championing Dreams, continuing to guide other students and stay involved in our events. During that time, she also kept busy outside the gym; staying active through dance and maintaining honor roll status at school.
Since her appearance on the Tamron Hall Show, we’ve seen Kelly return to training with even more consistency and confidence. Based on what we’ve seen from other students like Aria, we know that a strong comeback is always possible, and we’re excited to continue empowering Kelly’s journey as she rediscovers her rhythm and passion for boxing. Her story is a reminder that growth takes many forms, and that sometimes stepping away can be part of finding your way back stronger than before.
Looking Ahead
Ring of Hope continues to grow beyond the ring. Our goal is to expand opportunities for our students by connecting them to paid internship placements with other sports organizations in our network, after preparing them through our own internship program. In partnership with our for-profit extension, we’re also creating pathways for youth to access paid casting opportunities in television, commercials, and print; helping them build confidence, career experience, and visibility in spaces where they can shine.
As we keep moving forward, we remain committed to creating more moments like this - moments that spark confidence, open doors, and remind our youth that their dreams are always worth fighting for.
A Moment of Gratitude
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Claressa Shields, Tamron Hall, and the entire production team for shining a light on young women in boxing. And to our dedicated coaches, parents, and community partners you for standing beside us as we continue to build hope, strength, and opportunity in every round.
Watch the full segment here: Tamron Hall Show – Claressa Shields Surprises Two Bronx Youth Boxers