With staff after live demonstration at Holy Family k-8 School in North Lawndale, Chicago
What fencing looks like today
A Brief History of Fencing
Fencing is one of the oldest combat sports in the world, with roots tracing back to ancient civilizations like Egypt and Rome. It evolved into a refined art of swordplay in Europe during the Renaissance, especially in Spain, Italy, and France, where it became both a method of self-defense and a mark of nobility and discipline.
By the 19th century, fencing had developed into a formal sport with rules, safety gear, and three main weapons: foil, épée, and sabre. It made its Olympic debut in 1896, one of only five sports to appear in every modern Summer Games.
Though long seen as exclusive, fencing is becoming more diverse. Today, it's a powerful tool for building confidence, discipline, and focus—qualities that resonate with young kids of color looking to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and write their own history.
Scott, Thomas and DJ, National Foil Fencers at 2024 North American Cup, Atlanta, GA
Results:
In an ever-evolving world, there’s a pressing need to engage with sports that teach physical and mental agility. Among these sports, fencing stands out as a powerful tool for empowerment.
Since its inception
Through Black Boys Fence (BBF), we have conducted several fencing demonstrations at local churches and schools, donated uniforms and equipment, logged over 200 volunteer hours, and reached over 300 students. Now with a peer-led board of directors and adult board advisors, BBF is rising to the occasion by expanding our influence, applying for grants and partnering with local schools to reach more kids. Through social media, in-person demonstrations, and meeting with varied groups, significant strides have been made in exposing young kids and other underrepresented groups to fencing, fostering a sense of community and providing opportunity to excel in this unique sport.
“What competitive fencing looks like today”
Our team
Scott Holliday
Founder & CEO
Scott is the Founder and CEO of Black Boys Fence. He fell in love with fencing at ten and has been building pathways into the sport ever since—especially for young people who haven’t seen themselves on the strip. Scott leads clinics, partners with schools, and donates gear and books to make first tries easy and returns likely. A nationally ranked men’s foil fencer, he’s a two-time USA Junior Olympic qualifier and a USA Fencing All-American and All-Academic honoree, but what matters most to him is turning curiosity into community and first lessons into sustained opportunity.
Sheridan Holliday
Chief of Social Media
Sheridan is the Chief of Social Media for Black Boys Fence and a junior at Northwestern University in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Psychology. She is passionate about exploring how policy and developmental psychology intersect, especially in underserved communities, and plans to pursue applied research that supports the growth and potential of the next generation.
At BBF, Sheridan oversees the strategy, creation, and management of digital content to amplify the mission of making fencing accessible, inspiring, and empowering for young underrepresented athletes. She develops campaigns across multiple platforms, grows the online community, and highlights the achievements of BBF’s students and programs. Her work blends creativity, analytics, and storytelling to strengthen the organization’s presence and foster meaningful connections. What matters most to her is ensuring that every young person sees themselves reflected and celebrated, both on the strip and in the stories BBF shares.
Jeff Blackman
Board Advisor
Jeff is a Board Advisor for Black Boys Fence. A Chicago-area finance professional and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Jeff brings a rigorous, data-driven approach to strategy, risk assessment, and organizational decision-making.
At BBF, Jeff advises on financial planning, sustainability, and growth—helping strengthen the foundation for programs that expand access to fencing and mentorship. He focuses on aligning resources with mission, building strategic partnerships and resilient systems, and ensuring that impact scales responsibly. What matters most to him is turning careful analysis into opportunity, so young people have durable pathways to thrive on and off the strip.
Cortlandt Armstrong
Board Advisor
Cortlandt is a Board Advisor for Black Boys Fence. A dynamic business leader, he brings extensive experience in digital transformation, go‑to‑market strategy, and new business integration, with a track record of driving collaboration and innovation across Fortune 100 organizations. Known for building high‑performing teams and advancing economic inclusion initiatives, Cortlandt combines strategic vision with practical execution to deliver lasting impact.
At BBF, he advises on organizational growth and outreach, helping strengthen the foundation for programs that expand access to fencing and mentorship. Cortlandt also draws on his own fencing background—he captained the Fencing Team at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point—to guide BBF’s mission of turning first tries into sustained opportunities. What matters most to him is ensuring that young athletes see fencing not only as a sport, but as a pathway to discipline, confidence, and community.