It can be difficult for others to see the vision, but for Sule Konata Welch, that wasn't a problem when she learned the dilapidated building would become the new location for her martial arts studio.
The building is a combination of two buildings that serve as historic sites in Georgia and the Vine City area of Atlanta. Welch discovered that the larger brick building had a historical connection to education. It was once home to the Georgia Teacher Education Association, an organization for black educators. We also served preschool and kindergarten students at Ashby Street Learning Academy.
However, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact year the three-story facility was built, but Welch suspects it was sometime in the early 1960s. At the time, the building was to be built right next to what was once a church or residence. Mr. Welch believes it was built in the 1930s.
When Welch purchased the building in 2020, it was in poor condition. Welch said asbestos had to be removed and the building had to be outfitted to meet modern standards, including ADA compliance.
Once renovations began, Welch discovered more history inside. It had big, bulky brown 60s-style furniture, green shag carpet, and on the walls were pictures of Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Hosea Williams. It was decorated with photos. This was also the office of Horace Tate, who served 17 years in the Georgia State Legislature and was a strong advocate of education policy. Tate was also a labor union leader. He passed away in his 2002 year.
Knowing the building's ties to education, Welch wanted to continue building on the tradition of community education. He hopes the center will be a strong contribution to the neighborhood and that offering martial arts to youth will be an alternative to traditional exploration areas.
“This is a haven for teachers all over the South, especially in Georgia, who are doing what they need to do to provide a different perspective on education for African-American youth, and yet people don't give them credit. When I found out they didn't want me to do that, I was like, “I feel like that's the connection for me,'' Welch explained.
Mr. Welch's desire to teach martial arts began at the age of 17. Certified fitness trainers, coaches, and martial arts instructors have multiple teaching certifications.
The Welch Center offers a variety of martial arts and health instruction, including hapkido, Kali or Escrima/Eskrima, the national sport of the Philippines, Kung Fu, and the Afro-Brazilian art known as Capoeira. Tai Chi and yoga are also offered to various age groups.
Welch and his wife Cecily are business partners who operate The Welch Experience. She is a certified public accountant and runs her own company, Welch Financial Advisors, on her third floor and oversees co-working spaces for other businesses.
Cecily recalls seeing the crumbling infrastructure and understanding the importance of preserving buildings for the community.
“On two occasions when I was leaving at night, a strange man walked in front of the gate and yelled, 'Hey, come on, come on, come on!'”
Cecily says the support from the community has been invaluable. “The neighbors wanted to leave something here, but they didn't have the ability to do it.”
