About Celda 151
Celda 151's mission is to empower young people to become the best versions of themselves through mentorship, civic education and engagement, career pathways, boxing, and personal development.
Our Story
I started Celda 151 because I know what it feels like to grow up believing your circumstances define your future. I've lived through adversity, made mistakes, and was given a second chance. That second chance changed my life, and I believe every young person deserves the same opportunity.
Boxing is simply the platform. The real mission is to build confident, disciplined, respectful young people who believe in themselves. Through mentorship, life skills, education, career pathways, and positive relationships, we help youth discover their purpose and understand that their past does not have to determine their future.
Celda 151 exists to create opportunities that many of us never had. It's a place where young people are seen, heard, challenged, and supported. My goal is that every youth who walks through our doors leaves believing they matter, that they have value, and that they are capable of becoming leaders in their families and communities.
— Coach Zeke, Founder
Our Philosophy
At Celda 151, boxing is simply the platform. We aren't just developing better athletes, we're developing better people. Every lesson inside the gym is connected to life outside the gym.
We teach emotional intelligence, accountability, healthy decision making, leadership, conflict resolution, career readiness, and community responsibility alongside boxing fundamentals.
Many of our mentors have overcome adversity themselves. We understand the struggles many youth face because we've lived them. That allows us to build genuine relationships based on trust, consistency, and respect.
“Our goal isn't to produce champions in the ring. Our goal is to help young people become champions in life.”— Coach Zeke
What Makes Us Different
What makes Celda 151 different is that we are much more than a boxing gym. Boxing is our tool, but mentorship is our mission.
Through The Blueprint Mentoring Program, we provide real life guidance that goes beyond the gym. We meet young people where they are, whether that is in our gym, their school, a juvenile detention center, or out in the community.
We also use art, culture, and community service as ways to help youth express themselves, connect with their identity, and build a sense of purpose. We build relationships, stay consistent, and walk alongside them through life’s challenges.
See Our Programs
“We don't just expect young people to come to us, we show up for them.”— Coach Zeke
Teaching Principles
Four founder-verified coaching messages that guide how Celda 151 speaks to young people about strength, resilience, daily progress, and ownership of their future.
“The greatest strength is the strength you build within yourself. Whether it is physical strength earned through hard work or mental strength gained through knowledge and experience, no one can ever take that away from you.”
— Coach Zeke“In sports, when you're down by seven, you don't quit, you keep playing because you know a comeback is possible. Life is the same way. No matter what you've been through, your comeback is always possible if you keep moving forward.”
— Coach Zeke“Don't get overwhelmed by yesterday or tomorrow. Focus on doing your best today. Small victories every day lead to lasting success.”
— Coach Zeke“Don't let anyone else write your story. Your past doesn't define you, and your circumstances don't determine your future. You have the power to choose the next chapter of your life.”
— Coach Zeke
Meet Our Founder
Founder and Executive Director
Exiquio “Zeke” Gonzalez is the Founder and Executive Director of Celda 151, a nonprofit organization that empowers youth through boxing, mentorship, education, and leadership development.
After overcoming significant personal adversity and rebuilding his own life, Zeke dedicated himself to helping young people realize their potential before poor decisions define their future. His work focuses on mentoring justice-involved youth, violence prevention, career pathways, emotional intelligence, and creating opportunities for underserved communities.
With a background in business, aviation, community organizing, and youth development, Zeke works with schools, juvenile detention centers, nonprofits, and community organizations throughout Oklahoma. His passion is building relationships, creating opportunities, and reminding every young person that they have value, purpose, and the ability to change the direction of their lives.
Our Hope
“Every young person leaves believing they can become the best version of themselves.”
More than anything, I hope every young person leaves Celda 151 believing in themselves. I want them to gain confidence, discipline, respect, and the understanding that they are capable of accomplishing great things no matter where they come from or what they have been through.
Whether they become a boxer, go to college, learn a trade, start a business, or choose another path, I want them to leave knowing they have purpose, they have value, and they always have a community that believes in them.
