About Us
Bell Martial Arts...Where We Put God 1st Place
Bell Martial Arts is Cincinnati's premier state-of-the-art martial arts training academy. Our lead instructors and co-founders Kenneth Bell and Tony Bell have over 40 years experience each in Tang Soo Do, and they are accompanied by a team of very capable Black Belt instructors with varying levels of experience and longevity. Our students range from ages 3 to adult. We offer training in traditional Tang Soo Do self-defense, forms, weapons, sparring, and breaking.
We are a faith-based, minority-owned community center that offers a wide range of fun, positive programs, and services for God's people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. We are committed to touching mind, body, and soul through faith, martial arts, health, and wellness services in a safe, positive, diverse environment for all, catering to ages 4-104!
Here are some of our programs:
☆Self Defense Training/ Martial Arts
☆Youth Fun Friday Bible Study
☆Financial Literacy Bootcamp
☆Fitness Bootcamp
☆Latchkey/ Tutoring
☆Health Screenings/Awareness Events
☆Dame & Daiquiris Dance Nite
☆Community Outreach/ Charity Drives
and so much more!!!
We always put God 1st place!
Our Why
Sandy Bell is our why. Sandy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and most importantly a devoted servant to the Lord. She always put God 1st and treated others with the Lord's unconditional love, grace, and support. She genuinely made the darkest days brighter and involved God into every single thing she did. Sandy took control of her life and created a happy, fun, family-oriented life that she cherished so deeply. For over 20 years, Sandy worked as a home childcare provider, providing genuine, motherly care to children of all backgrounds and ages. She taught them fundamentals and knew how to connect with each child in their own unique way. Sandy provided valuable lessons, nutritious meals, and fun activities that enhanced self-esteem, confidence, and awareness. The same concepts and development we promote in our programs and services.
Our Story
Bell Martial Arts Academy (BMA) began teaching in the 1990s out of the basement of our home church New Unity Baptist, 2124 Burnet Ave Cinti, OH 45219, with the permissions of our pastor Rev. Mark A Toney, who later became a Team Bell student with his wife and family. Two years later, we were blessed to lease a large two family house style building in South Fairmont, where we continued to grow as a business through God's will and purpose. We educated ourselves, networked, and adapted a culture of fun and diversity, all while providing a well-rounded curriculum and connecting with our students and community. We invested every dollar earned and reciprocated all profits back into business.
Team Bell established solid connections with other martial arts' organizations, local churches, and recreation centers. We began hosting our annual open martial arts tournament that brought in hundreds of competitors, spectators, and vendors and Bell Martial Arts even received its own official day, personally presented by Mayor Mallory in 2002.
That following year, we were blessed to relocate to Oakley Rec Center of the Cincinnati Recreation Commission and for the last 12 years, Oakley has been our home. We've had the privilege of participating in amazing functions such as summer camp, community demonstrations, and back to school events.
In April 2021, we purchased our new facility at 800 Compton Rd Unit 2 Cincinnati, OH 45231, with a grand opening scheduled for Fall 2021. We started from ground zero and with the help of our diligent students, we completely converted the former dental office into the headquarters and program space for our vision.
The unit was funded from blessings left behind from God and our beloved Sandy Bell, who allowed us for the first time in 30 years to have a place we can finally call our own. This is how we adapted our new business name "Put God 1st Place, Sandy Bell, LLC" (PG1PSB) in order to accommodate our growing services and program menu offered beyond martial arts.
Sandy always put God 1st place and treated others with the Lord's unconditional love, grace, and support. She genuinely made the darkest days brighter and involved God into every single thing she did. Sandy took control of her life and created a happy, fun, family-oriented life that she cherished deeply.
It is such a blessing to have the opportunity to carry out Sandy's legacy for generations to come. To be able to convert our grief and positivity into something so good. To turn our tragedy into triumphant victory, while providing fun, essential fitness, health, and wellness services to the community, just confirms we are truly doing God's work.
Our Mission
• To provide our work and service to God and His plan for our lives
•. To develop a culture and generational focus of winning for all God's people.
•. To connect and engage souls by encouraging fun teaching, fun martial arts, and fun fitness activities.
•. To create and maintain a positive atmosphere of support to practice Godly fundamentals for righteous living.
•. To consistently work hard and provide opportunities for our youth and adults who come from all walks of life.
Meet Our Master Instructors
Instructors (left to right): SBN Master Diane Bowman, SBN Master Tony Bell Sr., SBN Master Arthur Caine
Meet Our Junior Instructors
Instructors (left to right): Sa Bom Ashley, Sa Bom Shawn, Sa Bom Michelle, and Sa Bom Rackley
