They came from a place where gymnastics isn’t supposed to thrive, but somehow, they did! In May 2024, a determined squad of young gymnasts, training in a cramped, resource‑scarce space, entered a USA Gymnastics Level 5 regional meet. Despite no pit, minimal mats, and barriers, they emerged as champions: the first all‑Black boys’ team in U.S. gymnastics to win gold at that level. Their victory spoke louder than equipment; it symbolized hope, potential, and a breakthrough for underrepresented youth in the sport. More than a year later, they face a significant threat…

With a mission, “To recruit athletes from underserved communities in Clayton County and the surrounding South Metro Atlanta area“, James Jones opened the James Jones Gymnastics Academy (JJGA) back in 2019. It is the only all black boys’ gymnastics club in the United States, and at its peak, the academy served up to 60 kids per season. The program is free for most families, thanks to fundraising efforts and sponsors. But with time, the young boys have grown, and the JJGA found itself on the verge of shutting down. This is because…

Inside Gymnastics Magazine made a post today, sharing a picture of young boys JJGA, and the overlay text read in big bold, “THE ONLY ALL BLACK BOYS GYMNASTICS TEAM IN AMERICA IS BEING FORCED TO CLOSE DOWN.” But what was the reason? Well, they explained in the caption. Talking about how the young boys need help, as they are now being forced to close down, the magazine quoted James, “In one week, August 1, 2025, we will close down for good because we outgrew the ceiling in our current gym but our county has strict zoning laws that won’t allow us to relocate to a new building that’s suitable for gymnastics.”

The ceiling of the current gym is too small for the boys to swing. Clayton County zoning regulations are preventing relocation to a compliant site. The area’s ordinances classify gymnastics as industrial or construction use, denying rezoning requests.”The buildings the county will approve are too small, very run down and in need of serious repair, or would have to be renovated to accommodate gymnastics,” he said. The problem with a smaller gym is the low ceiling height. When boys grow taller, especially into their teens (even around 6 feet), they start hitting the ceiling during routines.

In the past, James had removed the panel to make space, but now they have hit the limit. He also requested, “We’re asking if you can help us relocate to south Fulton County, which is close to our area. We’ve found a building that is suitable for gymnastics. This building would be more expensive to secure because it’s closer to the city of Atlanta where commercial rental rates are more expensive.” HBCU gymnastics programs have been in trouble lately, but this might be saved because their GoFundMe campaign currently has a target of $30,00 with $28,250 raised. Interestingly enough, donations played a big role in the opening of the program as well.

When donations helped JJGA

James Jones was a gymnast as a child, but the high costs meant he couldn’t continue for long. That experience stayed with him, especially the thought of other boys who might have the same passion but whose families couldn’t afford the opportunity. When James launched his program, he made it a priority to ensure it remained affordable for all. To spread the word, he posted a tweet sharing details about the academy and how people could contribute by donating or sponsoring a gymnast. To his surprise, the tweet quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention and support.

“It got 70,000 views, 3,000 retweets, and I believe about 16,000 likes,” he said. “So it got a popular response online.” This led to a flood of donations from individuals. These funds provided critical support, helping cover travel, uniforms, and even scholarships that made training accessible for families with limited income. A 2022 GoFundMe campaign successfully raised money for essential equipment: a spring floor, mats, bars, and vault trainers. It was aimed for 20k USD and currently stands at $20,040.

You can still donate to it. But JJGA would appreciate more help if the money were transferred to their other fund, which they are raising for relocation.