Phillip Ford
Phillip Ford
The Movement Martial Arts
Washington, DC
Phillip Ford and The Movement Martial Arts: Building Character, Confidence, and Community
In Washington, D.C., Phillip Ford is reshaping what youth empowerment looks like—one kick, punch, and act of integrity at a time. As the founder of The Movement Martial Arts, Phillip has created a space where physical discipline meets emotional growth and spiritual formation. His program offers affordable, high-quality martial arts instruction designed specifically for Black and Brown youth, combining Taekwondo, kickboxing, and leadership development to build not only skill but also self-worth, resilience, and purpose.
The Movement Martial Arts operates with a simple but powerful philosophy: training the body is only part of the journey. Classes weave together social-emotional learning, Bible study, and coaching in the program’s core principles—Focus, Integrity, Grit, Honor, and Tenacity, collectively known as the “FIGHT” framework. These values shape how students carry themselves both on and off the mat, providing a moral compass and confidence that extend into their schools, homes, and communities.
Phillip founded The Movement in 2017 as an extension of his work through Reach Urban Empowerment, a 501(c)(3) organization he later incorporated in 2022. With nearly two decades of experience mentoring young people, he saw firsthand the gap in accessible, faith-rooted extracurricular opportunities for youth in underserved neighborhoods. Martial arts training, often prohibitively expensive, remained out of reach for many families. Phillip set out to change that by offering a program where students could experience expert instruction, community support, and leadership mentoring at little or no cost.
Through Reach Urban Empowerment and The Movement, Phillip now serves 10–15 students weekly, with an expanding reach through tournaments, family outings, and partnerships with local churches and sports camps. His classes focus on more than physical techniques—they emphasize mental clarity, spiritual grounding, and the kind of steady discipline that translates into lifelong confidence. Students learn to set goals, show respect, and persist through challenges, guided by Phillip’s deep commitment to cultivating both strength and empathy.
The program’s impact extends beyond the dojo. Phillip integrates leadership development workshops, literacy support, and exposure to academic and athletic opportunities across the country. By teaching students to see themselves as leaders, The Movement Martial Arts helps them build pathways toward higher education, professional success, and personal growth. The initiative also sustains itself through a growing membership base, sales of branded merchandise, and speaking engagements, all of which help fund scholarships and expand access to more families.
For Phillip, martial arts is more than a sport—it is a ministry of empowerment. Through the discipline of movement and the guidance of faith, his students are learning not just how to fight in the ring, but how to fight for their futures, their communities, and their own sense of worth.
About Phillip Ford
Phillip Ford is a lifelong youth advocate, martial artist, and social entrepreneur based in Washington, D.C. He is the Founder and CEO of Reach Urban Empowerment, a 501(c)(3) organization that uses martial arts, mentoring, and leadership development to strengthen communities. With nearly twenty years of experience working with young people, Phillip is dedicated to helping students grow mentally, physically, and spiritually—equipping the next generation with the focus, faith, and resilience to thrive.
