Interview with Billy Moore President and CEO of ABC Youth Foundation in San Diego, California By Cynthia Guerrero
First and foremost, I want to acknowledge that God is the true President and CEO. He allows me to run the center and hold the title, but ultimately, He is…
What makes you a recognized leader in the community?
First and foremost, I want to acknowledge that God is the true President and CEO. He allows me to run the center and hold the title, but ultimately, He is in control. I also believe my father, Archie Moore, has a great deal to do with it. He was a professional boxer and the longest-reigning World Light Heavyweight Champion of all time, holding the title from 1952 to 1962. He had one of the longest professional careers in boxing history, competing from 1935 to 1963. My father's nickname was “The Mongoose.”
It’s an honor to be recognized, but at the heart of it, I simply love people. That’s the foundation of everything I do, and it’s how I became a leader in the community.
What inspired your involvement with ABC?
ABC is more than just a boxing gym—it’s a learning center with a library inside. The academic component is the most important part. ABC is a prevention program; we aim to address the problem before it starts.
You can actually look up a story about my father and President Eisenhower in 1957. My father warned him that the world was heading toward a gang and drug epidemic. He believed that focusing on prevention could save billions of dollars and countless lives. We could stay ahead of the curve.
Like many others, I’ve personally been affected by the impact of drugs. By the grace of God, ABC has remained afloat. Let me share a story with you: I used to be a biker. All I wanted to do was ride. I rode with the Four Horsemen. Then one day, while sitting at my father’s table, I heard God’s voice say, “You have the mantle now.”
At the time, my wife—then my girlfriend—let me use her small car to pick up seven kids every day. I brought them to the backyard to train in boxing. Before I knew it, I was fully involved. A dear friend of mine, Dr. Coleman Furr, played a huge role in encouraging me. Honestly, I didn’t want to do anything except ride my Harley-Davidson, but Dr. Furr pushed me to keep my father's dream alive. I saw the need in the community and developed a love for connecting with different individuals. Every person who walks through our doors has something to teach us.
How has your service benefited the Black community?
I want to acknowledge that throughout my journey, I’ve received support from people of all backgrounds—including white folks who have helped me along the way. That said, ABC was created to empower inner-city youth, particularly in the Black community, to face life’s challenges with courage and dignity.
The foundation is built on the principle that everyone can “step off into life without cowardice but with courage and dignity.” Our focus is on equipping at-risk youth with essential life skills through the discipline of boxing. We offer a safe, supportive environment that helps young people steer away from negative influences and reach their full potential.
One of our core programs is an after-school tutoring initiative called Build the Bridges, which helps students stay on track with their schoolwork. We also host an annual event in collaboration with the police and fire departments called Million Punches from the Heart, which encourages children to release anger and negativity in a healthy, constructive way.
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