Closing Bell: Campaign to Help Clinton Hill Martial Arts School Move

Supporters of a beloved martial arts school in Clinton Hill, the Humble Dojo, started an Indiegogo campaign Monday to raise funds to help the school move because of a large rent increase. Humble’s owner and teacher, Thomas Lewis, is known for his generous spirit and excellent teaching skills, according to the campaign page. Lewis, who has been teaching martial arts for more than 45 years under the title Master Sabu, has already moved six times within Brooklyn.

He was the subject of a New York Times profile in 2011, and he offers free classes to seniors and free summer camps for neighborhood kids, said the New York Daily News, which recently wrote about the 200 percent rent increase. Community members describe his kindness on their Indiegogo page:

“Master Sabu teaches many students for free, or for whatever they can afford, but he is most dedicated to children. Some days, he stays late at the Dojo teaching a free class so that single mothers can pick their children up after working late, and so that the children aren’t home alone…Master Sabu also volunteers for the elderly, teaching at nursing homes. He also feeds poor and homeless people on Thanksgiving every year — no matter what his financial circumstances may be.”

Photo via Indiegogo