Thom Goertel | The Sun Magazine

Thom Goertel

Thom Goertel lives near Washington, D.C., and travels the world to help with humanitarian projects. He took this month’s cover photo, of Teresa Cruz Morales, near Cuernavaca, Mexico, in early 2020. In collaboration with the nonprofit organization VAMOS!, Goertel made portraits that illustrate the beauty and hardships of thirty-six women experiencing poverty.

— From September 2023
Photography

Old School Boxing

In 2014, during the tense aftermath of the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Harrison decided the young fighters at the gym needed to get to know police officers, and vice versa. So he began offering free memberships to police in D.C. and Prince George’s County. Now officers often train with ex-cons and troubled youths at Old School.

September 2019
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September 2019

Buddy Harrison, owner and trainer at Old School Boxing.

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September 2019

After a recent pro debut, Nathaniel Davis works a bag.

September 2019

Waiting to spar, Miss Soldier watches other boxers in the ring.

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September 2019

Sebastian Sanchez (right) spars with trainer Japreme Eloheem.

September 2019

Jordan King intensely studies a bout.

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September 2019

Darnell Pittman shadowboxes in front of a mirror.

September 2019

Asaan Jenkins’s trainer secures his headgear for sparring.

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September 2019

Crisanto “Santos” Lucio waits his turn to spar in front of a wall-sized mug shot of the gym’s owner, Buddy Harrison.

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