When Rialto native Darious Harris began boxing as a boy, he and his dad traveled for training because no local facility existed. Now the CEO/founder of Never Stop Grinding Impact brings free boxing to his hometown and teaches kids to live healthier lives.

Thanks to this non-profit group – whose purpose is to bring love, empathy and resources to youth and adults suffering from emotional trauma – young people in the IE are learning to love themselves, to have empathy for others, and to give back to their community.

All through boxing.

It’s for these efforts that Harris and Never Stop Grinding Impact received the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) 2023 Inspire Award, which “honors a provider, entity or community partner that exemplifies our mission, ‘We heal and inspire the human spirit.’”

“Boxing can be very, very therapeutic – it’s really good for your mental health,” said Harris, an undefeated professional boxer and Rialto Hall of Fame inductee.

More than a boxing facility, Never Stop Grinding Impact provides social and emotional learning as well as academic support within a classroom setting. They partner with local schools, teaching kids to control their emotions and listen, before they participate in supervised non-contact boxing.

“The privilege [if they can listen] is they get to learn how to box” Harris said. “In order to be a great boxer, you have to be able to control your emotions and relax under pressure.”

Never Stop Grinding Impact also has a gang prevention program and actively participates in community events. Teaching kids to care for their community and give back is central to the group’s mission and its namesake – to never stop grinding. 

“My ‘why’ is to make sure that these kids grow up and have a positive mentor,” Harris said. “And you can come back to your community, and you can give back. I hope that will inspire the youth to do the same … There’s no community without unity.”