Senior Professor Sayfullaah Al-Amriykiy
Professor Sayfullaah Al‐Amriykiy has been studying the Martial Arts for over 40 years. He began his training in the Bronx, New York at the age of 10 years old in 1965. He started training in Shotokan Karate‐Jutsu and Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu under Grandmaster James Walter Yates and Grandmaster Nathaniel McBride (a student of Dr. Moses Powell).
In 1975, Professor Sayfullaah began to train under Dr. Moses Powell directly and in 1994 he received his 7th Degree Black Belt in Sanuces Ryu and the title of “Shihan.” In 1993 and 1995, he trained under Osamu Ozawa Shihan, the Senior Japanese Shotokan Instructor in the Western hemisphere that trained directly under the Founder Gichin Funakoshi, and was awarded his 3rd and 4th Degree Black Belts. Professor Sayfullaah is a member of The Sanuces Ryu Eye To Eye Jiu Jitsu Federation, The Karate Nomichi World Federation (Japan) and serves as a Senior Technical Advisor to The Philadelphia Historic Martial Arts Society.
Professor Sayfullaah’s Martial Arts journey has been filled with numerous achievements and accolades. He was the Super‐Lightweight World Champion of the New York Professional Kick‐Boxing Association (1981–1985) and was ranked 5th in the world by the Professional Karate Association. He placed in The Traditional Karate International Confederation World Karate Championships (1993): Senior Division Gold Medalist in Kumite and Bronze Medalist in Kata. He was featured in Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu Tape #4 (1994) and Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu DVD “Touch and Go! Vol. 1” (2004) with Dr. Moses Powell. He was appointed as Ambassador by Dr. Moses Powell to take the Warrior Within Dojo Demo Team and represent Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Royal Family and Scholars of Islaam (15 demonstrations were performed).
Professor Sayfullaah also co‐directed and co‐produced the movie “Watch Your Back!!!” featuring the Legendary Dr. Moses Powell. The Professor has been inducted into the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008; the World Karate Union Hall of Fame in 2003 and 2006; the Budo International Magazine Hall of Fame in 2006; the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association Hall of Honor in 2006; the American Cities Foundation Community Leadership Training Institute "Men Making A Difference Award" in 2007; the World Martial Arts League 10th International Black Belt Martial Arts Elite Awards in 2007; International Federation Of JuJitsuans Martial Arts University "Shogun Award" in 2007; and the 2007 and 2008 Aaron Banks World Professional Martial Arts Organization Hall of Fame “World Martial Arts Promoter/Instructor of All Time” in New York City, at the world’s famous Madison Square Garden.
In 1975, Professor Sayfullaah began to train under Dr. Moses Powell directly and in 1994 he received his 7th Degree Black Belt in Sanuces Ryu and the title of “Shihan.” In 1993 and 1995, he trained under Osamu Ozawa Shihan, the Senior Japanese Shotokan Instructor in the Western hemisphere that trained directly under the Founder Gichin Funakoshi, and was awarded his 3rd and 4th Degree Black Belts. Professor Sayfullaah is a member of The Sanuces Ryu Eye To Eye Jiu Jitsu Federation, The Karate Nomichi World Federation (Japan) and serves as a Senior Technical Advisor to The Philadelphia Historic Martial Arts Society.
Professor Sayfullaah’s Martial Arts journey has been filled with numerous achievements and accolades. He was the Super‐Lightweight World Champion of the New York Professional Kick‐Boxing Association (1981–1985) and was ranked 5th in the world by the Professional Karate Association. He placed in The Traditional Karate International Confederation World Karate Championships (1993): Senior Division Gold Medalist in Kumite and Bronze Medalist in Kata. He was featured in Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu Tape #4 (1994) and Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu DVD “Touch and Go! Vol. 1” (2004) with Dr. Moses Powell. He was appointed as Ambassador by Dr. Moses Powell to take the Warrior Within Dojo Demo Team and represent Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Royal Family and Scholars of Islaam (15 demonstrations were performed).
Professor Sayfullaah also co‐directed and co‐produced the movie “Watch Your Back!!!” featuring the Legendary Dr. Moses Powell. The Professor has been inducted into the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008; the World Karate Union Hall of Fame in 2003 and 2006; the Budo International Magazine Hall of Fame in 2006; the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association Hall of Honor in 2006; the American Cities Foundation Community Leadership Training Institute "Men Making A Difference Award" in 2007; the World Martial Arts League 10th International Black Belt Martial Arts Elite Awards in 2007; International Federation Of JuJitsuans Martial Arts University "Shogun Award" in 2007; and the 2007 and 2008 Aaron Banks World Professional Martial Arts Organization Hall of Fame “World Martial Arts Promoter/Instructor of All Time” in New York City, at the world’s famous Madison Square Garden.
Grandmaster S. Saud Bey
Grandmaster S. Saud Bey began his martial arts training in 1964 under Master Terikuyi Okazaki at a branch school under the instruction of Sensei Louis Rabouin in the Shotokan system of karate. He entered the United States Marine Corps in 1966. While stationed in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968, he began training in Tae Kwon Do with elements of the White Horse Battalion of the Korean Marine Corp with Major Kim.
In 1969 and 1970 while stationed in Rota Spain, he studied Hapkido with Master Bon Do Shin. He also received Instructor ranking for hand to hand combat. While stationed at Marine Corp base in Quantico Virginia, he taught hand to hand combat and trained at the branch school of Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee in Alexandria, Virginia. After the leaving military, Grandmaster Bey began training in Tae Kyun with Master Mahn Suh Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1971. In 1972, he began training in Kodokan Judo with Sensei Jerome Mackey earning the rank of 3rd degree Black Belt in Kodokan Judo. He also holds a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Grandmaster Bey also studied Vita Saana with Mwanzo Maharibi and Mwangazi Mshindi and holds the title of Mwalimu (Teacher) of the African Martial Art of Vita Saana. He is also a certified Instructor of personal fitness, swimming and lifesaving. From 1975 through 1995, he founded the African Institute of Martial Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and taught classes at the AFCOM center, the Temple of the Black Messiah, and the Hatan Society.
Grandmaster Bey founded the Kuumba Ngumi School. He also taught Tae Kwon Do at Myers Recreation Center and taught Judo at Kingsessing Recreation Center. Grandmaster Bey was the co-instructor at the Bronx Philadelphia School of Karate Do with Professor Sayfullaah Al-Almirykiy. Grandmaster Bey is a senior member of the Universal Song Do Kwan Alliance.
In 1969 and 1970 while stationed in Rota Spain, he studied Hapkido with Master Bon Do Shin. He also received Instructor ranking for hand to hand combat. While stationed at Marine Corp base in Quantico Virginia, he taught hand to hand combat and trained at the branch school of Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee in Alexandria, Virginia. After the leaving military, Grandmaster Bey began training in Tae Kyun with Master Mahn Suh Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1971. In 1972, he began training in Kodokan Judo with Sensei Jerome Mackey earning the rank of 3rd degree Black Belt in Kodokan Judo. He also holds a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Grandmaster Bey also studied Vita Saana with Mwanzo Maharibi and Mwangazi Mshindi and holds the title of Mwalimu (Teacher) of the African Martial Art of Vita Saana. He is also a certified Instructor of personal fitness, swimming and lifesaving. From 1975 through 1995, he founded the African Institute of Martial Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and taught classes at the AFCOM center, the Temple of the Black Messiah, and the Hatan Society.
Grandmaster Bey founded the Kuumba Ngumi School. He also taught Tae Kwon Do at Myers Recreation Center and taught Judo at Kingsessing Recreation Center. Grandmaster Bey was the co-instructor at the Bronx Philadelphia School of Karate Do with Professor Sayfullaah Al-Almirykiy. Grandmaster Bey is a senior member of the Universal Song Do Kwan Alliance.
Grandmaster Clarence E. Boyer, Jr.
Grand Master Clarence E. Boyer, Jr was born in Philadelphia, PA; during the sixties at the age of eight, he trained at the J.Y.M.C.A. in South Philadelphia. He met Mr. Howard Adderley joined his club “Duk Sun Shotokan Karate Club” in West Philadelphia and later trained in Tae Kwon Do achieving his second Dan.
During the seventies joined and trained with Mr. Paramore’s club, the American Youth Academy (AYA) located in Southwest Philadelphia until 1985, achieving his second Dan in 1974 and his third Dan in 1983 from the American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF) and Japanese Karate Association, JKA.
Also during the seventies, and eighties, participated in five regionals, four nationals competitions and Pan Am games in Brooklyn New York. Mr. Paramore and club members traveled to California to train under the late Hidetaka Nishiyama, President of the American Amateur Karate Federation. Upon their return trained weekly with Katsuya Kisaka, 7th Dan, and member of American Amateur Karate Federation, AAKF and Japanese Karate Association, JKA, located in New Jersey.
On numerous occasions, Mr. Boyer would travel to Philadelphia from New Jersey assisting Mr. Paramore with training students at various Y.M.C.A.s. Unfortunately, Mr. Paramore passed away in June 2005 leaving a legacy by influencing numerous martial arts practitioners in the Philadelphia metropolitan Area.
In 1998 acheived a Bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University in Business Administration, International / Human Resource and Business Management. In 2007 acheived his Master's Degree from Universuty of Phoenix in Administration and Global Management.
In November 2009, inducted into the 2nd Annual Pioneer Award for 50 years of dedication, United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association. In July 2010 inducted into the United States Martial Artist Association International Hall of Fame.
In March 20111 inducted into the North American Federation of Martial Arts Hall of Fame, NAFMA.
In July 2011 inducted into Ultimate Martial Arts Warriors Hall of Honor.
Currently traning with and instructing for the Universal Song Do Kwan Alliance.
During the seventies joined and trained with Mr. Paramore’s club, the American Youth Academy (AYA) located in Southwest Philadelphia until 1985, achieving his second Dan in 1974 and his third Dan in 1983 from the American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF) and Japanese Karate Association, JKA.
Also during the seventies, and eighties, participated in five regionals, four nationals competitions and Pan Am games in Brooklyn New York. Mr. Paramore and club members traveled to California to train under the late Hidetaka Nishiyama, President of the American Amateur Karate Federation. Upon their return trained weekly with Katsuya Kisaka, 7th Dan, and member of American Amateur Karate Federation, AAKF and Japanese Karate Association, JKA, located in New Jersey.
On numerous occasions, Mr. Boyer would travel to Philadelphia from New Jersey assisting Mr. Paramore with training students at various Y.M.C.A.s. Unfortunately, Mr. Paramore passed away in June 2005 leaving a legacy by influencing numerous martial arts practitioners in the Philadelphia metropolitan Area.
In 1998 acheived a Bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University in Business Administration, International / Human Resource and Business Management. In 2007 acheived his Master's Degree from Universuty of Phoenix in Administration and Global Management.
In November 2009, inducted into the 2nd Annual Pioneer Award for 50 years of dedication, United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association. In July 2010 inducted into the United States Martial Artist Association International Hall of Fame.
In March 20111 inducted into the North American Federation of Martial Arts Hall of Fame, NAFMA.
In July 2011 inducted into Ultimate Martial Arts Warriors Hall of Honor.
Currently traning with and instructing for the Universal Song Do Kwan Alliance.
Grandmaster Sylvester Cheatham
Grandmaster Sy Cheatham is a native of Richmond, Virginia and after finishing high school entered the United States Air Force. While in the military and stationed in Guam, USA, he began his martial arts study in Do Shin Kai karate in 1968 under Sensei Carl Noble. After returning stateside in the same year, he returned to McCoy AFB, Fla where his study continued in the USA Goju Ryu System under Sensei William Liquori, a student of Sensei Peter Urban. After discharge from the air force, Grandmaster Cheatham returned to his hometown of Richmond and practiced under the guidance of Sensei Jerry Piddington, American style karate.
In 1973, Grandmaster Cheatham moved to the Northern Virginia area where he studied under Grandmaster James K. Roberts, Sr. in Tae Kwon Do/Tang Soo Do. He attained the rank of 4th Dan from Grandmaster Roberts after nine years of training. In 1986, Grandmaster Cheatham located Grandmaster Myung Seok Seo, 8th Dan in Waldorf, Md. Grandmaster Seo accepted him as a student in that year and his practice and martial arts education continued for thirteen years until Grandmaster Seo encouraged him to start his own Tang Soo Do family. Grandmaster Cheatham’s study under Grandmaster Seo resulted in the rank of 6th Dan. The Korean Tang Soo Do Academy was founded in 1997 due to encouragement from Grandmaster Seo.
During this time, Grandmaster Cheatham attained the rank of 5th Dan from the Kim School, Tae Kwon Do from Grandmaster Hun Soo Kim of Virginia Beach.
Grandmaster Cheatham is an active member of the World Korean Martial Arts Union, the National Tang Soo Do Federation, and the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association‐International Supreme Elite Warrior’s Council. He received his 7th, 8th, and 9th Dan certification from these organizations. He is the Virginia representative receiving his appointment on January 13, 2002. He is also a lifetime member of the World Organizer of the Martial Arts (WOMA) and the International Society of Grandmasters.
2011 will begin Grandmaster’s 43rd year in the martial arts and he has been inducted into several martial arts halls of fame including Eastern USA Int’l Martial Arts Hall of Fame, the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Legions Champions Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Int’l Jujitsu Hall of Fame, World Organizer of Martial Arts and others. On June 28, 2008, Grandmaster Cheatham was appointed to the Tang Soo Do Board of Directors, Vice Chair, for Region 1.
Grandmaster Cheatham has produced several grand champions and a supreme grand champion during his years of teaching and conducts seminars and clinics when requested for students who are interested in learning the old and ancient hyungs of Tang Soo Do.
Grandmaster Cheatham was appointed Coach of the 2006 USA Int’l Martial Arts Team (Team USA) for the Pan‐Caribbean Championships held in Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies. The team traveled with thirty members and returned with fifty gold medals.
Grandmaster Cheatham holds an AAS degree in Police Science and is a certified defensive tactics and general instructor for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
He is currently working on a book entitled, “The Lost Forms of Tang Soo Do” which will be available in the near future. The book will consist of ten hyungs of the Korean system which are rarely taught today.
In 1973, Grandmaster Cheatham moved to the Northern Virginia area where he studied under Grandmaster James K. Roberts, Sr. in Tae Kwon Do/Tang Soo Do. He attained the rank of 4th Dan from Grandmaster Roberts after nine years of training. In 1986, Grandmaster Cheatham located Grandmaster Myung Seok Seo, 8th Dan in Waldorf, Md. Grandmaster Seo accepted him as a student in that year and his practice and martial arts education continued for thirteen years until Grandmaster Seo encouraged him to start his own Tang Soo Do family. Grandmaster Cheatham’s study under Grandmaster Seo resulted in the rank of 6th Dan. The Korean Tang Soo Do Academy was founded in 1997 due to encouragement from Grandmaster Seo.
During this time, Grandmaster Cheatham attained the rank of 5th Dan from the Kim School, Tae Kwon Do from Grandmaster Hun Soo Kim of Virginia Beach.
Grandmaster Cheatham is an active member of the World Korean Martial Arts Union, the National Tang Soo Do Federation, and the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association‐International Supreme Elite Warrior’s Council. He received his 7th, 8th, and 9th Dan certification from these organizations. He is the Virginia representative receiving his appointment on January 13, 2002. He is also a lifetime member of the World Organizer of the Martial Arts (WOMA) and the International Society of Grandmasters.
2011 will begin Grandmaster’s 43rd year in the martial arts and he has been inducted into several martial arts halls of fame including Eastern USA Int’l Martial Arts Hall of Fame, the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Legions Champions Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Int’l Jujitsu Hall of Fame, World Organizer of Martial Arts and others. On June 28, 2008, Grandmaster Cheatham was appointed to the Tang Soo Do Board of Directors, Vice Chair, for Region 1.
Grandmaster Cheatham has produced several grand champions and a supreme grand champion during his years of teaching and conducts seminars and clinics when requested for students who are interested in learning the old and ancient hyungs of Tang Soo Do.
Grandmaster Cheatham was appointed Coach of the 2006 USA Int’l Martial Arts Team (Team USA) for the Pan‐Caribbean Championships held in Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies. The team traveled with thirty members and returned with fifty gold medals.
Grandmaster Cheatham holds an AAS degree in Police Science and is a certified defensive tactics and general instructor for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
He is currently working on a book entitled, “The Lost Forms of Tang Soo Do” which will be available in the near future. The book will consist of ten hyungs of the Korean system which are rarely taught today.
Grandmaster Bobby L. Graham Sr.
Grand Master Graham began his training in 1965 as a White belt in the Japanese system and won his first White/Yellow Belt championship tournament during the same year. He continued studying and in 1968 received his First Degree Black Belt in the Japanese GO-JU System.
In 1969 Grand Master Graham joined the International Tae-Kwon-Do System under the leadership and teacher Grand Master Young IL Kong 9th Degree Black Belt and now president of the International Ch'ang TAEKWON-DO Federation. Since that time Grand Master Gram has perform in tournaments as a heavyweight fighter and fought in more than a hundred Black Belt divisions and won major national tournaments in states such as Delaware, Philadelphia PA, Lancaster PA, Pottstown, PA. Harrisburg PA, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Washington D.C. and Europe Germany.
Grand Master Graham, while serving in the Army and stationed in Germany in 1976 -1981, taught and trained his commander and fellow soldiers. He also taught children and adults in the Germany community. Grand Master Graham competed and placed in the German heavyweight division.
Grand Master Graham's latest tournament experiences was winning the Northern Virginia Karate Grand Championship in 1995, and placed fourth out of twenty Black Belt competitors in the Washington National Capital Classics held in August 1997 at the Washington Convention Center.
Grand Master was inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame in 2003.
Grand Master Graham attended Delaware State University and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Teaching and Education; and completed graduate classes in Information Technology Systems. He received numerous awards while serving in the United States Army. He received the award of honor graduate and soldier of the quarter for both basic and advanced U.S. Army training. Grand Master Graham also received a Hero’s Award in 1996 from the employees of a major United States Airline for his rescue of 240 people from a disruptive passenger during a flight across country.
In 1969 Grand Master Graham joined the International Tae-Kwon-Do System under the leadership and teacher Grand Master Young IL Kong 9th Degree Black Belt and now president of the International Ch'ang TAEKWON-DO Federation. Since that time Grand Master Gram has perform in tournaments as a heavyweight fighter and fought in more than a hundred Black Belt divisions and won major national tournaments in states such as Delaware, Philadelphia PA, Lancaster PA, Pottstown, PA. Harrisburg PA, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Washington D.C. and Europe Germany.
Grand Master Graham, while serving in the Army and stationed in Germany in 1976 -1981, taught and trained his commander and fellow soldiers. He also taught children and adults in the Germany community. Grand Master Graham competed and placed in the German heavyweight division.
Grand Master Graham's latest tournament experiences was winning the Northern Virginia Karate Grand Championship in 1995, and placed fourth out of twenty Black Belt competitors in the Washington National Capital Classics held in August 1997 at the Washington Convention Center.
Grand Master was inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame in 2003.
Grand Master Graham attended Delaware State University and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Teaching and Education; and completed graduate classes in Information Technology Systems. He received numerous awards while serving in the United States Army. He received the award of honor graduate and soldier of the quarter for both basic and advanced U.S. Army training. Grand Master Graham also received a Hero’s Award in 1996 from the employees of a major United States Airline for his rescue of 240 people from a disruptive passenger during a flight across country.
Dr. Roger Haines http://www.rogerhaines.org/index.html
Grandmaster Roger L. Haines, Ph.D., first entered the martial arts at age twelve and has had an on‐going love affair with the gentle science ever since. He has risen through the ranks to head his own federation at the age of thirty‐nine. He currently holds a tenth degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, making him soke (head of family) for his own National Tang Soo Do Federation, Inc. (International).
Doctor Haines is also a police officer with the Woodlawn Police Department in Ohio and holds a wide variety of defensive arts related certifications. He is a Denfensive Tactics Instructor, ASP / Pepper Spray / Handcuffing Techniques and Women’s Self‐defense Instructor.
He was awarded his doctorate by Eastern USA Martial Arts College in 1999. He has thrice been inducted into the Eastern USA International Black Belt Hall of Fame in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The first time was as Grandmaster Instructor of the Year in 1997. The second was in 1998 when he achieved the Pinnacle Award. The third in 1999 receiving the Diamond Life Achievement Award.
Grandmaster Haines specializes in working with inner‐city youth, attempting to give them an alternative to the peer pressure, drugs and crime which they might find elsewhere. He hopes to help mold them into leaders and role models for the future.
Through his interaction with youth, he founded the SWAT (Special Winning Attitudes Team), a National Karate Team which has been going strong for over ten years. The team is composed of the crème de la crème of his youth karate classes. The SWAT Team travel across the country, competing in national and international tournaments. Often, the SWAT Team brings home the gold in nearly every category in which they compete, a testament to the power of martial arts in young lives.
Dr. Haines, along with his National Tang Soo Do Federation, has generated not only national and world champions, but also junior Olympic gold medalists.
As well as being a martial artist, Dr. Haines is an entrepreneur; writer and father, He and his students have been featured in a number of martial arts magazines such as, Black Belt, Martial Arts Illustrated, Tae Kwon Do Times, Inside Karate, World of Martial Arts, RSCC Sport Karate News and Jet Magazine.
He is also a martial arts videographer, having produced a number of training tapes for the public down through the years. His latest project was a nine‐part series for Inside Kung Fu Magazine. Along with his publicist, he is currently working on another series of books dealing with a variety of self‐defense and martial arts topics.
Martial arts has taken him all over the country and the world. He has been to the Bahamas and Aruba as well as every state in the union.
He has tried to make a difference in the lives of his students. As a result of the martial arts discipline learned in Tang Soo Do. Many of his students have gone on to earn college degrees. A large number of them have become officers themselves.
Dr. Haines has been a police officer for over twenty‐one years. Foe that wide‐ranging and diverse interaction with all socio‐economic backgrounds, he has sensed the need of his own brand of martial arts in young lives.
Over the years, Dr. Haines has served society as a law enforcement officer, a martial artist and a father. He hopes to be able to continue to do so for many years to come.
Doctor Haines is also a police officer with the Woodlawn Police Department in Ohio and holds a wide variety of defensive arts related certifications. He is a Denfensive Tactics Instructor, ASP / Pepper Spray / Handcuffing Techniques and Women’s Self‐defense Instructor.
He was awarded his doctorate by Eastern USA Martial Arts College in 1999. He has thrice been inducted into the Eastern USA International Black Belt Hall of Fame in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The first time was as Grandmaster Instructor of the Year in 1997. The second was in 1998 when he achieved the Pinnacle Award. The third in 1999 receiving the Diamond Life Achievement Award.
Grandmaster Haines specializes in working with inner‐city youth, attempting to give them an alternative to the peer pressure, drugs and crime which they might find elsewhere. He hopes to help mold them into leaders and role models for the future.
Through his interaction with youth, he founded the SWAT (Special Winning Attitudes Team), a National Karate Team which has been going strong for over ten years. The team is composed of the crème de la crème of his youth karate classes. The SWAT Team travel across the country, competing in national and international tournaments. Often, the SWAT Team brings home the gold in nearly every category in which they compete, a testament to the power of martial arts in young lives.
Dr. Haines, along with his National Tang Soo Do Federation, has generated not only national and world champions, but also junior Olympic gold medalists.
As well as being a martial artist, Dr. Haines is an entrepreneur; writer and father, He and his students have been featured in a number of martial arts magazines such as, Black Belt, Martial Arts Illustrated, Tae Kwon Do Times, Inside Karate, World of Martial Arts, RSCC Sport Karate News and Jet Magazine.
He is also a martial arts videographer, having produced a number of training tapes for the public down through the years. His latest project was a nine‐part series for Inside Kung Fu Magazine. Along with his publicist, he is currently working on another series of books dealing with a variety of self‐defense and martial arts topics.
Martial arts has taken him all over the country and the world. He has been to the Bahamas and Aruba as well as every state in the union.
He has tried to make a difference in the lives of his students. As a result of the martial arts discipline learned in Tang Soo Do. Many of his students have gone on to earn college degrees. A large number of them have become officers themselves.
Dr. Haines has been a police officer for over twenty‐one years. Foe that wide‐ranging and diverse interaction with all socio‐economic backgrounds, he has sensed the need of his own brand of martial arts in young lives.
Over the years, Dr. Haines has served society as a law enforcement officer, a martial artist and a father. He hopes to be able to continue to do so for many years to come.
Grandmaster Thomas Harper
Grand Master Harper began his martial arts training in June 1970 at the Ishikawa Judo Club at Temple University. He won awards for Most Improved Student three years in a row and earned first place in his division in 1971 and 1972. He enrolled at the American Youth Academy Karate Club in the spring of 1973 and was promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt in 1977 and 2nd Degree Black Belt in 1979 under Sensei Ernest Paramore and Sensei Eric Blair.
Grand Master Harper enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1987 and began teaching Shotokan Karate in January 1989 while stationed at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. He transferred to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska in 1991 and continued teaching martial arts. He moved to Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico in 1995 and soon afterwards began teaching principles of kickboxing and submission fighting. He separated from the Air Force in 1997, moved to Snellville, Georgia and became the Head Instructor at Dennis Palmer’s Shokido Kickboxing School.
Grand Master Harper trained many amateur and professional fighters sanctioned under the ISKA from 2000 to 2003. He was promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt in Shokido by the system’s founder Dennis Palmer in 2003. He also holds a 6th Degree Black Belt in Nat McBride’s Kyo‐Jutsu Karate System.Grand Master Harper is certified by the World Martial Arts League as a Master Instructor in Muay Thai Kickboxing. He was awarded the rank of 9th Degree Black Belt in Song Do Kwan Kong Soo Do by founder Grand Master John Crudup and has been inducted into the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame, the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association Hall of Honor and the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.
Grand Master Harper enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1987 and began teaching Shotokan Karate in January 1989 while stationed at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. He transferred to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska in 1991 and continued teaching martial arts. He moved to Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico in 1995 and soon afterwards began teaching principles of kickboxing and submission fighting. He separated from the Air Force in 1997, moved to Snellville, Georgia and became the Head Instructor at Dennis Palmer’s Shokido Kickboxing School.
Grand Master Harper trained many amateur and professional fighters sanctioned under the ISKA from 2000 to 2003. He was promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt in Shokido by the system’s founder Dennis Palmer in 2003. He also holds a 6th Degree Black Belt in Nat McBride’s Kyo‐Jutsu Karate System.Grand Master Harper is certified by the World Martial Arts League as a Master Instructor in Muay Thai Kickboxing. He was awarded the rank of 9th Degree Black Belt in Song Do Kwan Kong Soo Do by founder Grand Master John Crudup and has been inducted into the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame, the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association Hall of Honor and the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.
Grandmaster Kennith Martin
Master Kennith Martin began Taekwondo training in Philadelphia Pa., at the age of 13. His instructor was Grand Master James L. Mitchell a Taekwondo, Chung Do Kwan stylist, Co‐Founder of The Martial Arts Unity Federation and a Vietnam Veteran who was Master Martin’s first mentor whose encouragement set him on the right path.
In 1977 after high school, he joined the Pennsylvania Air National Guard became a boxer and amassed an amateur record of 4 and 1. He turned professional, but his family strongly disagreed with boxing so he never fought again. He was promoted to black belt with instructor certification at age 19 and was appointed head instructor of his school. Master Mitchell’s example motivated Master Martin to follow his footsteps.
In 1984, Master Martin joined the Air Force and continued his martial arts training while stationed at Norton Air Force Base, San Bernardino, CA. He became a student of a Korean Master, Young H. Lee, a Chung Do Kwan Master and Vietnam Veteran who also taught the same combat unit as Mr. Mitchell was assigned to in Vietnam. In 1985, Master Martin won the California/Nevada State Karate Championship. He remained a loyal student to Master Lee for nearly twenty years and taught classes on the base. Master Lee promoted him to 4th degree black belt and introduced and him to the art of Hapkido.
In 1988 during an assignment to Eglin AFB, FL., he started a school that grew to over 100 members and produced 21 black belts. He won the 1990 Gulf Coast Martial Arts Championship, and in 1993 won the Florida State Sunshine Games. In 1992, while assigned to Operation Desert Storm, he taught self‐defense to multinational forces, during the Gulf War.
In 1998, he met the late Grandmaster Bruce Twing at a Connecticut tournament and was invited to accompany him to Korea to study Taekwondo in its homeland. While at the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Headquarters, (Kukkiwon) for a three‐hour training session with over 70 black belts the session turned into a black belt test when Great Grand Master Woon Kyu Um, President of The World Taekwondo Headquarters Kukkiwon and Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan, arrived to officiate. At the end of that grueling session, Master Martin was 1 of only 8 black belts to remain standing and received a promotion.
In 1999 he was awarded 5th Dan by President Um, who happened to be MasterYoung H. Lee’s Grandmaster. Master Martin was assigned to Osan Air Base Korea, where he intensely studied Hapkido, training under Grandmaster Sung Jun Lee of The Korea Hapkido Federation (KHF). He was the school’s only American student and trained 4 hours a day, 6 days a week and in 1 year achieved 1stDan.
In 2003 he attended the KHF Masters Seminar in Orlando, Florida and performed in front of the Federation President Grand Master Oh Se Lim. Master Martin was encouraged to apply for his 2nd Dan at the seminar by a leading master. President Oh Se Lim approved a rare skip promotion and awarded him 3rd Dan black belt. Master Martin is the US Representative for the Korea Hapkido, Yong Moo Kwon Association. That same year he was appointed National Level Referee status by The United States Taekwondo Union.
In 2004, the director of the World Chung Do Kwan Academy in Seoul, Korea, Grandmaster Hae Man Park and the Chief instructor at the main Gym, Grand Master Tae Sung Lee, authorized Master Martin to start his own Branch in the United States. Master Martin retired from the Air Force in 2004 and lives in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He has schools at the First United Methodist Church, Community Life Center, Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field Air Base. His goal is to help the community by sharing what he has learned from his masters, with his students.
In 1977 after high school, he joined the Pennsylvania Air National Guard became a boxer and amassed an amateur record of 4 and 1. He turned professional, but his family strongly disagreed with boxing so he never fought again. He was promoted to black belt with instructor certification at age 19 and was appointed head instructor of his school. Master Mitchell’s example motivated Master Martin to follow his footsteps.
In 1984, Master Martin joined the Air Force and continued his martial arts training while stationed at Norton Air Force Base, San Bernardino, CA. He became a student of a Korean Master, Young H. Lee, a Chung Do Kwan Master and Vietnam Veteran who also taught the same combat unit as Mr. Mitchell was assigned to in Vietnam. In 1985, Master Martin won the California/Nevada State Karate Championship. He remained a loyal student to Master Lee for nearly twenty years and taught classes on the base. Master Lee promoted him to 4th degree black belt and introduced and him to the art of Hapkido.
In 1988 during an assignment to Eglin AFB, FL., he started a school that grew to over 100 members and produced 21 black belts. He won the 1990 Gulf Coast Martial Arts Championship, and in 1993 won the Florida State Sunshine Games. In 1992, while assigned to Operation Desert Storm, he taught self‐defense to multinational forces, during the Gulf War.
In 1998, he met the late Grandmaster Bruce Twing at a Connecticut tournament and was invited to accompany him to Korea to study Taekwondo in its homeland. While at the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Headquarters, (Kukkiwon) for a three‐hour training session with over 70 black belts the session turned into a black belt test when Great Grand Master Woon Kyu Um, President of The World Taekwondo Headquarters Kukkiwon and Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan, arrived to officiate. At the end of that grueling session, Master Martin was 1 of only 8 black belts to remain standing and received a promotion.
In 1999 he was awarded 5th Dan by President Um, who happened to be MasterYoung H. Lee’s Grandmaster. Master Martin was assigned to Osan Air Base Korea, where he intensely studied Hapkido, training under Grandmaster Sung Jun Lee of The Korea Hapkido Federation (KHF). He was the school’s only American student and trained 4 hours a day, 6 days a week and in 1 year achieved 1stDan.
In 2003 he attended the KHF Masters Seminar in Orlando, Florida and performed in front of the Federation President Grand Master Oh Se Lim. Master Martin was encouraged to apply for his 2nd Dan at the seminar by a leading master. President Oh Se Lim approved a rare skip promotion and awarded him 3rd Dan black belt. Master Martin is the US Representative for the Korea Hapkido, Yong Moo Kwon Association. That same year he was appointed National Level Referee status by The United States Taekwondo Union.
In 2004, the director of the World Chung Do Kwan Academy in Seoul, Korea, Grandmaster Hae Man Park and the Chief instructor at the main Gym, Grand Master Tae Sung Lee, authorized Master Martin to start his own Branch in the United States. Master Martin retired from the Air Force in 2004 and lives in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He has schools at the First United Methodist Church, Community Life Center, Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field Air Base. His goal is to help the community by sharing what he has learned from his masters, with his students.
Grandmaster Keith McKinley
As a martial arts student Master Keith R. McKinley began his training in 1973 at age 9 under the instruction of Grandmaster James L. Mitchell of Mr. James’ Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon School of Self Defense in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While continuing under the chief instruction of Grandmaster Mitchell; Master McKinley was afforded the privilege of training at Grandmaster Ozzie H. Wright, Jr.’s Chang Moo Kwan School of Tae Kwon Do from 1977 through 1979.
Master McKinley earned his First Degree Black Belt in 1979 from Grandmaster James L. Mitchell.
In 1985 Master McKinley began training with Korean Martial Arts Grandmaster Ian A. Cyrus at the Abington Tae Kwon Do Academy in Abington, Pennsylvania. Under the auspices of Grandmaster Cyrus, Master McKinley earned Black Belt Dan rankings from the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. Grandmaster James L. Mitchell promoted Master McKinley to 4th degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1994. And, under the sanctioning authority of the International Korean Martial Arts Federation; Grandmaster Ian A. Cyrus also promoted Master McKinley to 4th degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1994.
Master McKinley was promoted to the rank of 7th degree Black Belt in 2007 by Grandmaster James L. Mitchell under the sanctioning authority of Mr. James’ Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon School of Self Defense. In 2008 Master McKinley was promoted to 7th degree Black Belt by Grandmaster John Crudup under the sanctioning authority of the Universal Song Do Kwan Alliance.
As an instructor of the martial arts, Master McKinley served as an assistant instructor under the direction of Grandmaster James L. Mitchell from 1981 through 1985 at Mr. James’ Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon School of Self Defense. From 1985 through 1995, Master McKinley served as the Chief Instructor of the West Philadelphia Tae Kwon Do Academy in which he promoted numerous students to the rank of Black Belt. During these years Master McKinley had the privilege of training and promoting such notable students as Gregory “Butch” Slaughter , Chief Instructor of the Bethany Karate Academy and Daniel F. Pope, Chief Instructor of the Daniel Pope Karate Institute. Masters Slaughter and Pope are active Master martial arts instructors with highly successful schools in the Philadelphia region.
As a sport karate competitor Master McKinley was nationally ranked in the junior fighting and forms division by several sanctioning bodies from 1978 through 1979. At the age of 15, Master McKinley entered the adult black belt fighting division in the fall of 1979. From 1980 until he retired from competition in 1994, Master McKinley was recognized as one of the top ranked super light weight / light weight fighters in the nation. Through out the years Master McKinley consistently won in such notable tournaments as The Northeast Open, The Empire State Nationals, The U.S. Capital Classics, The Twin Tower Classics, The New England Open, The Battle of Baltimore and numerous other national tournaments in the Northeastern region of the United States.
In the early 1980s Master McKinley was undefeated as an amateur kick boxer under the training methods of Grandmaster James L. Mitchell. In an effort to improve his boxing skills as a kick boxer; from 1982 through 1983, Master McKinley was afforded the opportunity to train as a boxer at the Harrowgate Boxing Club of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under the tutelage of trainer Billy Carroll and Pennsylvania State Welter Weight Kick Boxing Champion, Daryl “Nitro” Croker. Mr. McKinley won 14 amateur boxing matches against three tournament losses. In 1983, Master McKinley won the Mid- Atlantic AAU Light Weight Boxing Championship.
As a sport karate coach, in 1991 Master McKinleywas one of the founding members of the Philadelphia National Karate Team (“the PNKT”). Serving as both the Head Coach and team member from 1992 through 1995, Master McKinley coached the PNKT to national prominence as a point fighting karate team. Master McKinley had the privilege to coach and train with several fighters who achieved the status of either world and /or national champion, such as James “Ace” Daniels, Carlos Flowers, Bobby Leach, Bobby Harris, Akin Williams, Ozzie Wright III and several other notable champions.
As a sport karate tournament promoter, from 1989 through 1995 Master McKinley was the promoter of the Philadelphia National Karate Pro/Am Championships (known as the “Philadelphia Pro/Am”). In its sixth and final year; the Philadelphia Pro/Am grew to 142 divisions with 800 competitors.
As a citizen, Master McKinleywas born and raised in the City of Philadelphia. He graduated from Temple University in 1986 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He attended Temple University School of Law and received his law degree in 1989. Master McKinley is currently a practicing attorney and he is the sole proprietor of The Law Offices of Keith R. McKinley. He currently resides in Delaware County Pennsylvania where he is the proud father of two young children. He is also an active member of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Keith R. McKinley Martial Arts Bio as of November 14, 2008.
Master McKinley earned his First Degree Black Belt in 1979 from Grandmaster James L. Mitchell.
In 1985 Master McKinley began training with Korean Martial Arts Grandmaster Ian A. Cyrus at the Abington Tae Kwon Do Academy in Abington, Pennsylvania. Under the auspices of Grandmaster Cyrus, Master McKinley earned Black Belt Dan rankings from the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. Grandmaster James L. Mitchell promoted Master McKinley to 4th degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1994. And, under the sanctioning authority of the International Korean Martial Arts Federation; Grandmaster Ian A. Cyrus also promoted Master McKinley to 4th degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1994.
Master McKinley was promoted to the rank of 7th degree Black Belt in 2007 by Grandmaster James L. Mitchell under the sanctioning authority of Mr. James’ Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon School of Self Defense. In 2008 Master McKinley was promoted to 7th degree Black Belt by Grandmaster John Crudup under the sanctioning authority of the Universal Song Do Kwan Alliance.
As an instructor of the martial arts, Master McKinley served as an assistant instructor under the direction of Grandmaster James L. Mitchell from 1981 through 1985 at Mr. James’ Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon School of Self Defense. From 1985 through 1995, Master McKinley served as the Chief Instructor of the West Philadelphia Tae Kwon Do Academy in which he promoted numerous students to the rank of Black Belt. During these years Master McKinley had the privilege of training and promoting such notable students as Gregory “Butch” Slaughter , Chief Instructor of the Bethany Karate Academy and Daniel F. Pope, Chief Instructor of the Daniel Pope Karate Institute. Masters Slaughter and Pope are active Master martial arts instructors with highly successful schools in the Philadelphia region.
As a sport karate competitor Master McKinley was nationally ranked in the junior fighting and forms division by several sanctioning bodies from 1978 through 1979. At the age of 15, Master McKinley entered the adult black belt fighting division in the fall of 1979. From 1980 until he retired from competition in 1994, Master McKinley was recognized as one of the top ranked super light weight / light weight fighters in the nation. Through out the years Master McKinley consistently won in such notable tournaments as The Northeast Open, The Empire State Nationals, The U.S. Capital Classics, The Twin Tower Classics, The New England Open, The Battle of Baltimore and numerous other national tournaments in the Northeastern region of the United States.
In the early 1980s Master McKinley was undefeated as an amateur kick boxer under the training methods of Grandmaster James L. Mitchell. In an effort to improve his boxing skills as a kick boxer; from 1982 through 1983, Master McKinley was afforded the opportunity to train as a boxer at the Harrowgate Boxing Club of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under the tutelage of trainer Billy Carroll and Pennsylvania State Welter Weight Kick Boxing Champion, Daryl “Nitro” Croker. Mr. McKinley won 14 amateur boxing matches against three tournament losses. In 1983, Master McKinley won the Mid- Atlantic AAU Light Weight Boxing Championship.
As a sport karate coach, in 1991 Master McKinleywas one of the founding members of the Philadelphia National Karate Team (“the PNKT”). Serving as both the Head Coach and team member from 1992 through 1995, Master McKinley coached the PNKT to national prominence as a point fighting karate team. Master McKinley had the privilege to coach and train with several fighters who achieved the status of either world and /or national champion, such as James “Ace” Daniels, Carlos Flowers, Bobby Leach, Bobby Harris, Akin Williams, Ozzie Wright III and several other notable champions.
As a sport karate tournament promoter, from 1989 through 1995 Master McKinley was the promoter of the Philadelphia National Karate Pro/Am Championships (known as the “Philadelphia Pro/Am”). In its sixth and final year; the Philadelphia Pro/Am grew to 142 divisions with 800 competitors.
As a citizen, Master McKinleywas born and raised in the City of Philadelphia. He graduated from Temple University in 1986 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He attended Temple University School of Law and received his law degree in 1989. Master McKinley is currently a practicing attorney and he is the sole proprietor of The Law Offices of Keith R. McKinley. He currently resides in Delaware County Pennsylvania where he is the proud father of two young children. He is also an active member of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Keith R. McKinley Martial Arts Bio as of November 14, 2008.
Grandmaster James Mitchell
Grand Master Mitchell began his martial arts training in Taekwon- Do while stationed in Vietnam in 1968. While in Vietnam he studied under Mr. Pedro Roman 3rd dan and was invited by members of the Korean Army (ROK Forces in Vietnam) White Horse Division to train with them under Mr. Kim Bong Shik.
In a year he was tested and promoted to the rank of 1st dan. In 1969 Grand Master Mitchell returned to Philadelphia and began studying with Grand Master Ozzie Wright Jr. They began meeting other Martial Artists and competing on the Tournament circuit. While competing in tournaments, Grand Master Mitchell won numerous first place trophies in Sparring and Kata competition. It was during one of these tournaments they met and became best friends with Grand Master Bobby Graham from Wilmington, Delaware. As a result of this relationship the core of The Martial Arts Unity Federation was formed.
Grand Master Mitchell and Grand Master Wright formed a partnership and opened the Chang Moo Kwan Taekwon‐Do School at 57th and Market Street in Philadelphia. Grand Master Ozzie Wright Jr. still owns and operates this very successful school today. Grand Master Mitchell went on to open his first Martial Arts School at the Myers Recreation Center in Philadelphia and he later established his second school "Mr. James Taekwon‐Do School of Self Defense". Grand Master Mitchell has trained numerous Black Belt Tournament Champions such as Grand Master John Crudup, Master Keith McKinley, Master Kennith Martin and Master Gregory Slaughter and the list goes on. Grand Master Mitchell was also a well respected Kick Boxing trainer in the Philadelphia Area. He is the founder and former Executive Director of the American Cities Foundation Community Leadership Training Institute in Philadelphia. He currently serves as the Director of Campus Outreach for the Core Philly Scholarship Program in Philadelphia.
He was also the Executive Assistant to U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah for over ten years and in this capacity conducted numerous leadership training and management seminars for various organizations throughout the Philadelphia area. Grand Master Mitchell was a Philadelphia policeman for over 20 years during which time he obtained the rank of Sergeant and served as Detective Supervisor in the elite Dignitary Protection Unit. In that capacity he was responsible for coordinating security for several U.S. Presidents visiting Philadelphia as well as foreign dignitaries including: Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Yisak Rabin, the Dalai Lama AND Evangelist Billy Graham.
During the administration of Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode, he became the first sergeant in the history of the Police Department to command a Mayor's Security Detail. While serving in the Philadelphia Police Department, he received numerous awards and citations, including an award for Heroism. He was named one of 100 Black Men Making a Difference in Philadelphia and also received "The Living African American History Makers Award” from the Berean Institute. Also under the auspices of the Philadelphia Department of Public Welfare Youth Conservation Services Gang Control Unit, he spent four years counseling gang members. He is a graduate of the West Philadelphia High School.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in the Administration of Criminal Justice. a Masters of Education Degree in Adult Organizational Development, both from Temple University. He is currently a Masters of Divinity Candidate at Eastern Theological Seminary, in Wynnewood Pa. Grand Master Mitchell is also Associate Minister of the Pinn Memorial Baptist Church in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia, Dr. Jacob L. Chatman, Senior Pastor.
In a year he was tested and promoted to the rank of 1st dan. In 1969 Grand Master Mitchell returned to Philadelphia and began studying with Grand Master Ozzie Wright Jr. They began meeting other Martial Artists and competing on the Tournament circuit. While competing in tournaments, Grand Master Mitchell won numerous first place trophies in Sparring and Kata competition. It was during one of these tournaments they met and became best friends with Grand Master Bobby Graham from Wilmington, Delaware. As a result of this relationship the core of The Martial Arts Unity Federation was formed.
Grand Master Mitchell and Grand Master Wright formed a partnership and opened the Chang Moo Kwan Taekwon‐Do School at 57th and Market Street in Philadelphia. Grand Master Ozzie Wright Jr. still owns and operates this very successful school today. Grand Master Mitchell went on to open his first Martial Arts School at the Myers Recreation Center in Philadelphia and he later established his second school "Mr. James Taekwon‐Do School of Self Defense". Grand Master Mitchell has trained numerous Black Belt Tournament Champions such as Grand Master John Crudup, Master Keith McKinley, Master Kennith Martin and Master Gregory Slaughter and the list goes on. Grand Master Mitchell was also a well respected Kick Boxing trainer in the Philadelphia Area. He is the founder and former Executive Director of the American Cities Foundation Community Leadership Training Institute in Philadelphia. He currently serves as the Director of Campus Outreach for the Core Philly Scholarship Program in Philadelphia.
He was also the Executive Assistant to U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah for over ten years and in this capacity conducted numerous leadership training and management seminars for various organizations throughout the Philadelphia area. Grand Master Mitchell was a Philadelphia policeman for over 20 years during which time he obtained the rank of Sergeant and served as Detective Supervisor in the elite Dignitary Protection Unit. In that capacity he was responsible for coordinating security for several U.S. Presidents visiting Philadelphia as well as foreign dignitaries including: Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Yisak Rabin, the Dalai Lama AND Evangelist Billy Graham.
During the administration of Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode, he became the first sergeant in the history of the Police Department to command a Mayor's Security Detail. While serving in the Philadelphia Police Department, he received numerous awards and citations, including an award for Heroism. He was named one of 100 Black Men Making a Difference in Philadelphia and also received "The Living African American History Makers Award” from the Berean Institute. Also under the auspices of the Philadelphia Department of Public Welfare Youth Conservation Services Gang Control Unit, he spent four years counseling gang members. He is a graduate of the West Philadelphia High School.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in the Administration of Criminal Justice. a Masters of Education Degree in Adult Organizational Development, both from Temple University. He is currently a Masters of Divinity Candidate at Eastern Theological Seminary, in Wynnewood Pa. Grand Master Mitchell is also Associate Minister of the Pinn Memorial Baptist Church in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia, Dr. Jacob L. Chatman, Senior Pastor.
Shidoshi Rodney Alexander Nobles http://theoneshidoshi.com/
Alex Nobles began his fitness career 38 years ago as a 12 year old martial artist. Alex won countless number of championships in Karate, Kickboxing and Boxing. He is a certified, licensed and insured personal trainer. Workouts offered range from low impact to moderate and advanced. Classes are tailored to each person or groups experience level, from the non experienced to experienced trainee.
Alex’s classes encompass the use of all types of equipment, portable and stationery. Best of all, Alex will travel to work with individuals or groups, visiting your home, office or gym. Any equipment that may already reside at your home or office location can be included in the workouts, if desired.
As a certified physical therapist aide, Alex also works with sport injuries and obesity.
Rodney Nobles started his martial arts career at the early age of twelve. He quickly picked up the skills and began winning first place in his division. He got his first black belt at the age of 17 and began fighting in the adult black belt division as a lightweight. He won his first championship in the adult black belt division in the late seventies. He was the reigning lightweight champion until he moved up to the middleweight where he won the middleweight championship. He moved up in weight and won championship after championship. He won championships in the fighting division, the kata division and the weapon divisions. He fought and competed in tournaments all over the U.S.A. He fought as a kick boxer and a boxer in the early and the mid eighties. In all he has won well over 3000 trophies and a close to half of them were championship trophies.
Alex’s classes encompass the use of all types of equipment, portable and stationery. Best of all, Alex will travel to work with individuals or groups, visiting your home, office or gym. Any equipment that may already reside at your home or office location can be included in the workouts, if desired.
As a certified physical therapist aide, Alex also works with sport injuries and obesity.
Rodney Nobles started his martial arts career at the early age of twelve. He quickly picked up the skills and began winning first place in his division. He got his first black belt at the age of 17 and began fighting in the adult black belt division as a lightweight. He won his first championship in the adult black belt division in the late seventies. He was the reigning lightweight champion until he moved up to the middleweight where he won the middleweight championship. He moved up in weight and won championship after championship. He won championships in the fighting division, the kata division and the weapon divisions. He fought and competed in tournaments all over the U.S.A. He fought as a kick boxer and a boxer in the early and the mid eighties. In all he has won well over 3000 trophies and a close to half of them were championship trophies.
Dr. Juan Otero
Dr. Juan Otero is a Psycho‐Analyst currently in private practice in Newark, New Jersey. He has been the Chief Instructor / Owner Operator of the Center For Karate & Family Fitness school of martial arts in Hackensack, NJ since 1996. He began his martial arts training in 1966 studying Japanese Goju‐Ryu at the Bronx Goju‐Kai School, New York and directed the first Karate club at the City College of NY in 1968 after earning his Black Belt. He currently holds the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Karate, specifically Goju/Goshin‐Ryu.
In 1975 he joined the Goshin‐Ryu Karate Association in Kearny, NJ training under the leadership of Grandmaster Alfred E. Gossett and Wayne Norlander, Sensei in Weehawken, NJ. He served as president of the association from 1992 until 2003, having under his leadership notable chartered schools and numerous outstanding Black Belts from Shodans to Rokudans. He was awarded the title “Master Instructor” rank by the GRKA in 1996; “National Certified Instructor” by the American Council on Martial Arts (ACMA) in 1998; “Certified Cardio‐Karate Instructor” by the National Association of Professional Martial Arts (NAPMA) in 1999; “Certified Instructor for the Handicapable” under Sifu Joseph P. Calkins, by the NJ Martial Arts For The Handicapable (MAH) in 2000.
In addition to his professional practice in Behavioral Health Medicine, he has maintained an active lifestyle in the martial arts in order to achieve and maintain the very best and most current/and complete martial arts curriculum. In addition to his active role within the Okinawan Goshin‐Ryu Karate‐Do Association and the Center for Karate & Family Fitness, he is a member and participant of several key organizations throughout the United States and the world.
For all of his efforts, Hanshi Otero has been recognized with the following achievements:
In 1975 he joined the Goshin‐Ryu Karate Association in Kearny, NJ training under the leadership of Grandmaster Alfred E. Gossett and Wayne Norlander, Sensei in Weehawken, NJ. He served as president of the association from 1992 until 2003, having under his leadership notable chartered schools and numerous outstanding Black Belts from Shodans to Rokudans. He was awarded the title “Master Instructor” rank by the GRKA in 1996; “National Certified Instructor” by the American Council on Martial Arts (ACMA) in 1998; “Certified Cardio‐Karate Instructor” by the National Association of Professional Martial Arts (NAPMA) in 1999; “Certified Instructor for the Handicapable” under Sifu Joseph P. Calkins, by the NJ Martial Arts For The Handicapable (MAH) in 2000.
In addition to his professional practice in Behavioral Health Medicine, he has maintained an active lifestyle in the martial arts in order to achieve and maintain the very best and most current/and complete martial arts curriculum. In addition to his active role within the Okinawan Goshin‐Ryu Karate‐Do Association and the Center for Karate & Family Fitness, he is a member and participant of several key organizations throughout the United States and the world.
For all of his efforts, Hanshi Otero has been recognized with the following achievements:
- Founder / Head Instructor – Okinawan Goshin‐Ryu Karate‐Do Association, Inc.- Tampa, FL, November 2005;
- Received the “Rhodes Scholar of The Year” Award- at Legends Champion of Martial Arts Meeting.- Baltimore,MD, 2005
- Received “Doctor of The Year in Sports Medicine Award” – The World Mixed Martial Arts Assoc.-Manchester, NH, 2007
- Sokeship Recognition – Wa No Michi Ryu Karate/ Kobudo Association- Soke Michael McGann – Largo, FL, March’06;
- Received “Grandmaster Diploma”- Ryu Bei Ryu Kempo Karate Rengokai – Arak,Iran, March 2006;
- Member - International World‐Wide Black Belt Grand Master Council – Baltimore, MD, on September 2004;
- World Head of Society Sokeship Council – Tokyo, Japan, 2004
- Received “Shihan” License and Rank Recognition by Grandmaster Tetsuhiro Hokama, Sensei from the International/Okinawan Kenshi‐kai Goju‐Ryu Karate‐Jitsu/ Kobu‐Jitsu Association, Okinawa, September 2004.
- Received Three (3) Honorary Doctorate (PhD.) Degrees from: (i) World Organization of Mixed Martial Arts – Education Division (July 2004); (ii) Legends Championship Martial Arts Association – Education Committee (September 2004); (iii) International University of Martial Arts Sciences- Int. Council of Higher Martial Arts Science Education (Mar.’06).
- Hawaii Martial Arts International Society - Grandmaster of the Year & Master Instructor of the Year, LasVegas, NV-2003;
- Latin‐American Martial Arts Society International Hall of Fame – Grandmaster of the Year Award, San Juan, PR - 2003;
- American‐Okinawan Karate Association – Lifetime Achievement Award & Master of the Year Award- Bayonne, NJ,1999;
Dr. Joe Parrish http://www.ushofmaa.com/founder.htm
Dr. Joe L. Parrish, 10th Dan, Environmental Professional, Ex Police Officer and Paratrooper. Dr. Parrish has over 40 years of Martial Arts experience starting in the late 1960’s earning black belts in 6 styles. He was previously a World Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do Middleweight sparring champion. He was regionally rated in forms, sparring, breaking. He has competed and placed in tournaments nationally. Dr. Parrish was a member of the Simba Do Jang karate team that was the most repeatable winning school on the east cost according to official karate magazine. He also holds six PhD’s in the martial arts field of study.
He is the founder of the Metropolitan Moo Duk Kwan center and the founder of Dai Do Shi Mudo Kwan system of Martial Arts. He has founded several martial arts clubs in Washington ,DC, MD and other states. He is a former AAU karate chairman coach for the state of Maryland and Potomac valley associations. Dr. Parrish has had much success working with the youth. He also trained several open, traditional, regional, national and world champions.
Dr. Parrish has promoted and directed several AAU and open Martial Arts tournaments in Maryland. Dr. Parrish is the MD, VA and Washington, DC president of the world organizer of martial arts (WOMA) with members in over 165 countries world Wide. Dr. Parrish is the founder and president of the U.S.H.O.F.M.A.A International Hall of Honor Hall of Champions awards ceremony.
He is the president of the National Tang Soo Do Federation, as well as founding member and president of the United States Head Of Family Martial Arts Association. He is a senior or executive board member in several martial arts organizations world wide and is one of the highest ranking Non‐Asian Korean style martial artists in the world and he has been inducted into several black belt halls of fame. He has been featured in many magazines to include, Jet, Tae Kwon Do Times, Dojang and Karate Illustrated to name a few and many newspapers. He has received several awards and commendations from the Moo Duk Kwan and other martial arts organizations.
He has received a Congressional certificate of special recognition for his martial art contribution in the community and more recently (November 2005) Dr. Parrish was bestowed the honor and title of (Sir Joe) Knight Grand Commander by Duke George Richards of England.
Dr. Parrish holds a B.S degree in Occupational Safety and Health and a graduate certificate in Environmental Management, he is also a senior environmental specialist for the DC Government Department of Environment (formerly with the DC Department of Health). Dr. Parrish is well respected in the environmental science community for his vast knowledge in the environmental field.
He is the founder of the Metropolitan Moo Duk Kwan center and the founder of Dai Do Shi Mudo Kwan system of Martial Arts. He has founded several martial arts clubs in Washington ,DC, MD and other states. He is a former AAU karate chairman coach for the state of Maryland and Potomac valley associations. Dr. Parrish has had much success working with the youth. He also trained several open, traditional, regional, national and world champions.
Dr. Parrish has promoted and directed several AAU and open Martial Arts tournaments in Maryland. Dr. Parrish is the MD, VA and Washington, DC president of the world organizer of martial arts (WOMA) with members in over 165 countries world Wide. Dr. Parrish is the founder and president of the U.S.H.O.F.M.A.A International Hall of Honor Hall of Champions awards ceremony.
He is the president of the National Tang Soo Do Federation, as well as founding member and president of the United States Head Of Family Martial Arts Association. He is a senior or executive board member in several martial arts organizations world wide and is one of the highest ranking Non‐Asian Korean style martial artists in the world and he has been inducted into several black belt halls of fame. He has been featured in many magazines to include, Jet, Tae Kwon Do Times, Dojang and Karate Illustrated to name a few and many newspapers. He has received several awards and commendations from the Moo Duk Kwan and other martial arts organizations.
He has received a Congressional certificate of special recognition for his martial art contribution in the community and more recently (November 2005) Dr. Parrish was bestowed the honor and title of (Sir Joe) Knight Grand Commander by Duke George Richards of England.
Dr. Parrish holds a B.S degree in Occupational Safety and Health and a graduate certificate in Environmental Management, he is also a senior environmental specialist for the DC Government Department of Environment (formerly with the DC Department of Health). Dr. Parrish is well respected in the environmental science community for his vast knowledge in the environmental field.
Grandmaster Charles Roberson http://www.thephotodojo.org/home.html /
Grand Master Roberson began his Martial Arts training in September 1972 at the age of 12 in Shotokan Karate at the American Youth Academy Karate Club in Philadelphia, PA under Sensei Ernest Paramore and earned his 1st Degree Black Belt on January 8, 1977 at the age of sixteen.
In 1980, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he studied Shorin Ji Ryu, Karate-Do under the guidance of Kyoshi Anthony C. Marquez in Okinawa, Japan. Then in June 1986, he joined the Korea America Tae Kwon Do Academy, under Grand Master Rosalio Martinez of San Antonio TX.
In 1988, he earned his 1st Dan Kukkiwon certification in Tae Kwon Do by March 2005, he was promoted to 6th Dan. Presently, Grand Master Roberson is now an 8th Dan Grand Master, the senior ranking member of the Korea America Tae Kwon Do Association on the East Coast and a founding member of the International Song Do Kwan Kong Soo Do Alliance chaired by 10th Degree Grand Master, John M. Crudup.
Grand Master Roberson has won numerous open tournaments since his early years in the Martial Arts returning to tournament competition, after a 15 year layoff, to win to the overall Grand championship in forms and free sparring at the 2005 & 2006 Kombat Klassic held in Waldorf, Maryland.
Professionally, after serving 20 years in the United States Air Force, as a Special Agent, Criminal Investigator with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Grand Master Roberson currently serves as the Chief of Police for the Department of the Defense.
Grand Master Roberson was inducted in the Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Fame and Martial Arts Head of Family, Hall of Honor.
He is continuing his endeavors in the martial arts as an active participant and has begun sharing his gift of artistry with the world through this site. Each photograph is complex, highlighting the “Ki” that makes us unique as Martial Artist. As Grand Master Roberson likes to say, “Martial Arts,..it’s not just what we do. It’s who we are”. Enjoy.
Professor Terryl D. Richardson
Professor Terryl D. Richardson has been a devout member, of the Martial Arts community, for 38 years.
He started learning the self discipline of a martial warrior from the very young age of eight years old, when he was taught boxing skills by his uncle, Harlen Marbley, (1968 Olympic Bronze Medalist – American Boxing Team). At the age of eleven Professor Richardson was introduced to his first of several Martial Arts forms/systems; the art of Wu-Shu. He was introduced to this system by a neighborhood friend, Sijo Anthony Graham. Professor Richardson achieved his first of many black belts, in this system, from Sijo Graham.
As Professor Richardson continued his pursuit of the discipline of Wu-Shu, he began to understand and appreciate the benefits and diversity of other Martial Arts systems. This led him to seek out other teachers such as Grand Master Gregory Kennedy of Simba Dojang, who became like a big brother to him and introduced him to the art of Tae Kwon Do. Later, Grand Master Kennedy introduced him to Senior Master Lawrence Holmes of Simba Dojang, with whom Professor Richardson continued to train and study the art of Tae Kwon Do. Professor Richardson also received a black belt in this system.
Professor Richardson also enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he honed his boxing skills as well as continued his martial arts training and theoretical studies. During his tour of duty, he held several titles, such as Post Lightweight Boxing Champ for Fort Gordon, GA, and Welter Weight kickboxing champ in Tacoma, WA. Professor Richardson also served as an Alternate for the U. S. Army Boxing Team, and earned his Army Air Assault and Airborne wings as well as his Jungle Expert patch. Also during his tour he helped redesign the hand to hand combat course for the Air Assault Academy.
After Professor Richardson left the Army he was introduced to Grand Master Serge Baubil the founder of Hoshinkido Hapkido. He trained in this system and received his 1st Dan. Professor Richardson then found Grand Master Joe Parrish, who trained him in the Tang Soo Do system.
Professor Richardson is a profound devotee of each system of Martial Art for which he has trained and received rank. He has dedicated over 30 years studying Martial Arts and Martial Art History. He has also studied and practice in: Judo, Muay Thai, Jeet Kun Do, Shotokan, Escrima, and Aikido. Professor Richardson has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the benefits of each system. To provide continuous improvement opportunities for his students, Professor Richardson developed his own system, Kum Jung Horang Yee Mu Sul, (Black Tiger Martial Technique), which has been formally recognized by the World Korean Martial Art Union, and the United States Head of Family Association. Professor Richardson’s system provides a complete, eclectic offensive art, maximizing the best of each system’s individual merit, and mitigating the pitfalls of their defensible weaknesses.
He started learning the self discipline of a martial warrior from the very young age of eight years old, when he was taught boxing skills by his uncle, Harlen Marbley, (1968 Olympic Bronze Medalist – American Boxing Team). At the age of eleven Professor Richardson was introduced to his first of several Martial Arts forms/systems; the art of Wu-Shu. He was introduced to this system by a neighborhood friend, Sijo Anthony Graham. Professor Richardson achieved his first of many black belts, in this system, from Sijo Graham.
As Professor Richardson continued his pursuit of the discipline of Wu-Shu, he began to understand and appreciate the benefits and diversity of other Martial Arts systems. This led him to seek out other teachers such as Grand Master Gregory Kennedy of Simba Dojang, who became like a big brother to him and introduced him to the art of Tae Kwon Do. Later, Grand Master Kennedy introduced him to Senior Master Lawrence Holmes of Simba Dojang, with whom Professor Richardson continued to train and study the art of Tae Kwon Do. Professor Richardson also received a black belt in this system.
Professor Richardson also enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he honed his boxing skills as well as continued his martial arts training and theoretical studies. During his tour of duty, he held several titles, such as Post Lightweight Boxing Champ for Fort Gordon, GA, and Welter Weight kickboxing champ in Tacoma, WA. Professor Richardson also served as an Alternate for the U. S. Army Boxing Team, and earned his Army Air Assault and Airborne wings as well as his Jungle Expert patch. Also during his tour he helped redesign the hand to hand combat course for the Air Assault Academy.
After Professor Richardson left the Army he was introduced to Grand Master Serge Baubil the founder of Hoshinkido Hapkido. He trained in this system and received his 1st Dan. Professor Richardson then found Grand Master Joe Parrish, who trained him in the Tang Soo Do system.
Professor Richardson is a profound devotee of each system of Martial Art for which he has trained and received rank. He has dedicated over 30 years studying Martial Arts and Martial Art History. He has also studied and practice in: Judo, Muay Thai, Jeet Kun Do, Shotokan, Escrima, and Aikido. Professor Richardson has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the benefits of each system. To provide continuous improvement opportunities for his students, Professor Richardson developed his own system, Kum Jung Horang Yee Mu Sul, (Black Tiger Martial Technique), which has been formally recognized by the World Korean Martial Art Union, and the United States Head of Family Association. Professor Richardson’s system provides a complete, eclectic offensive art, maximizing the best of each system’s individual merit, and mitigating the pitfalls of their defensible weaknesses.
Grandmaster Gregory Slaughter "Golden Armor Martial Arts Academy" formerly "Bethany Karate Academy"
Master G. “Butch” Slaughter began his study of the Martial Arts in 1971, while serving an overseas tour with the United States Marine Corps in Okinawa Japan. He studied under the instruction of Sensei Odo. Upon his Honorable discharge from the Corps, Master Slaughter joined, Mr. James Tae Kwon Do Academy, in West Philadelphia. He was promoted to Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do by the World Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF); under the instruction of Master Keith McKinley.
Upon leaving the WTF; Master Slaughter founded the Bethany Karate Academy and became the first inner city World Tang Soo Do Association school.
Master Slaughter founded the Bethany Karate Academy in 1988 where he has served as the Chief Instructor with the help of Assistant Chief Instructor Master Gwendolyn Galliard. The Academy’s mission has been, and still remains; to provide an affordable and quality martial arts program to the inner city community of Philadelphia, with the goal of enriching lives, promoting spiritual awareness and enhance the students’ physical fitness.
Many of his students have competed in local and national tournaments and achieved National Championship Awards from the NASKA Organization. Our school motto has always been to continue the Fighting and Indomitable Spirit that was handed down by Grand Master James L. Mitchell.
Master Slaughter is a graduate of the Sylvania Technical Institute, with a certificate in Electronic Engineering. He is currently an employee of the Xerox Corporation where he has been employed since 1978. He also has a Management Certificate from the Xerox Training Center, Leesburg, Va. He is a continuing student of electronic technology classes within the corporation in an effort to stay abreast of updated computer applications and operations.
Promoted to 7th Dan April, 2010 by Grandmaster James L. Mitchell; Mr. James Chung Do Kwon School. Recognized Grandmaster Instructor by The Universal Sang Do Kwon Alliance; Grandmaster John Crudup.
Grandmaster Troy Smith
Grand Master Troy Smith started his training 32 years ago ( 1978) in Cha Yon Ryu in Houston, Texas with Grandmaster Kim Soo. Moving to Illinois in 1984 GM Smith changed styles to Tae Kwon Do under Grandmaster Han Cha Kyo, 9th Dan Tae Kwon Do under Gen Choi Hong Hi. GM Han founded the Universal Tae Kwon Do Federation. GM Han passed away in 1996, but his high ranking students continue to operate the UTF. Master Smith began training in Tae Kwon Do with Grand Master Ki Hong Kim, 8th Dan in 1987 after GM Han relocated. While studying Tae Kwon Do Master Smith started his training in Kenpo and Hapkido. Master Smith studied Kyuki-Do and Hapkido with Grandmaster Ok Hyung Kim, 9th Dan founder of the American Kyukido Federation and Grand Master Greg Whipple. Mr. Smith has also attended numerous seminars with world leading American Kenpo and Shaolin Kenpo systems. Mr. Smith continues to teach and learn Kenpo from great instructors.
Grandmaster Smith competed in numerous local, state tournaments while living and training in Illinois and Texas.
Grandmaster Smith has trained with some top martial artist over the years. Having trained in Villari's Kempo with Master Hugh McLaughlin, Hapkido with Master Greg Whipple and Ok Hyung Kim, Tae Kwon Do with Grandmaster Ki Hong Kim, 8th Dan, Grandmaster Andrew Davies, 8th Dan, Grandmaster Brent Fuller, 8th Dan Tae Kwon do and 9th Dan founder of the Taeken-Jisu system, Grandmaster Thomas Perry, 8th Dan, Grandmaster William Valdes, 9th Dan Tae Kwon Do and Arnis Instructor, Grandmaster Dr. Duk Gun Kwon, 9th Dan Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido, founder US National TKD Federation and the World Traditional Hapkido Alliance.
Master Smith is the founder of the United Martial Arts Society founded in 1999 with the sole purpose of forming a non-political organization for all non Hapkido stylist.
Master Smith founded the Ko Shin Kwan Hapkido system in 2004 and the Universal Hapkido Federation Ko Shin Kwan in that same year. Ko Shin Kwan is recognized by the Jae Mu Kwan Hapkido Assoc., World Jug Tai Association and the World Il Do Kwan Federation. Ko Shin Kwan is not a new martial art or a new form of Hapkido. It is based on new theories and approaches to teaching and learning Hapkido. Ko Shin Kwan translates to “School of the Open Mind" meaning we acknowledge the traditions handed down by the founders, but we believe things have to change to adapt to modern times. Master Smith continues to teach classes and seminars while keeping up with the growth of the United Martial Arts Society and the Universal Ko Shin Kwan Hapkido Federation. Master Smith continues to train in Tae Kwon Do,Hapkido, and Kenpo.
Grandmaster Smith competed in numerous local, state tournaments while living and training in Illinois and Texas.
Grandmaster Smith has trained with some top martial artist over the years. Having trained in Villari's Kempo with Master Hugh McLaughlin, Hapkido with Master Greg Whipple and Ok Hyung Kim, Tae Kwon Do with Grandmaster Ki Hong Kim, 8th Dan, Grandmaster Andrew Davies, 8th Dan, Grandmaster Brent Fuller, 8th Dan Tae Kwon do and 9th Dan founder of the Taeken-Jisu system, Grandmaster Thomas Perry, 8th Dan, Grandmaster William Valdes, 9th Dan Tae Kwon Do and Arnis Instructor, Grandmaster Dr. Duk Gun Kwon, 9th Dan Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido, founder US National TKD Federation and the World Traditional Hapkido Alliance.
Master Smith is the founder of the United Martial Arts Society founded in 1999 with the sole purpose of forming a non-political organization for all non Hapkido stylist.
Master Smith founded the Ko Shin Kwan Hapkido system in 2004 and the Universal Hapkido Federation Ko Shin Kwan in that same year. Ko Shin Kwan is recognized by the Jae Mu Kwan Hapkido Assoc., World Jug Tai Association and the World Il Do Kwan Federation. Ko Shin Kwan is not a new martial art or a new form of Hapkido. It is based on new theories and approaches to teaching and learning Hapkido. Ko Shin Kwan translates to “School of the Open Mind" meaning we acknowledge the traditions handed down by the founders, but we believe things have to change to adapt to modern times. Master Smith continues to teach classes and seminars while keeping up with the growth of the United Martial Arts Society and the Universal Ko Shin Kwan Hapkido Federation. Master Smith continues to train in Tae Kwon Do,Hapkido, and Kenpo.
Grandmaster Wayne Thomas
Grandmaster Wayne “Tea” Thomas is a native of Washington, DC. He attended D.C. Public Schools and graduated from McKinley Technical Senior High School in 1973. In addition, he attended Howard University, Federal City College, Catholic University and Stratford Career Institute. Grandmaster Wayne Thomas is also known as “Grandmaster Tea”. At the age of 10, his parents enrolled him in Tae Kwon Do.
Over the years he has studied other styles of Martial Arts and has an extensive and outstanding list of martial arts awards. He is the President, Founder and CEO of the Power Punches Tae Kwon Do Club, Inc. Grandmaster Tea holds the rank of 9th Dan from the U.S.H.O.F.M.A.A. International Supreme Elite Warrior’s Council under Dr. Joe L. Parrish and Dr. Abdul Hakim Bilal. He is one of a few non-Asian Korean style martial arts with the rank of 9th Dan from the World Korean Martial Arts Union under Grandmaster Chang H. Park.
Grandmaster Tea was awarded rank of 9th Dan from the Song Do Kong Soo Do from Grandmaster John M. Crudup. He has his 8th Dan from The World Tae Kwon Do Federation, 8th Dan from the International Sokeship Council under Dr. Robert N. Braff, Soke. He also has his 8th Dan from the World Organizer of Martial Arts (WOMA) and is a lifetime member of the International Grandmaster Society.
Grandmaster Wayne Thomas is an Executive Advisory Board member, Public Relations Chief and Recording Secretary of the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association and a member of the Eastern U.S.A. International Martial Arts Association. He is a lifetime member of many organizations such as: Nihon To-Jutsu Karate-Do Kai and the International San Ryu Do Federation.
He has been appointed by the United States Head Of Family Martial Arts Association and International Supreme Elite Warrior’s Council to the Tae Kwon Do Certification Board of Examiners and the Korean Martial Arts Board of Directors Region (1).
Over the years he has studied other styles of Martial Arts and has an extensive and outstanding list of martial arts awards. He is the President, Founder and CEO of the Power Punches Tae Kwon Do Club, Inc. Grandmaster Tea holds the rank of 9th Dan from the U.S.H.O.F.M.A.A. International Supreme Elite Warrior’s Council under Dr. Joe L. Parrish and Dr. Abdul Hakim Bilal. He is one of a few non-Asian Korean style martial arts with the rank of 9th Dan from the World Korean Martial Arts Union under Grandmaster Chang H. Park.
Grandmaster Tea was awarded rank of 9th Dan from the Song Do Kong Soo Do from Grandmaster John M. Crudup. He has his 8th Dan from The World Tae Kwon Do Federation, 8th Dan from the International Sokeship Council under Dr. Robert N. Braff, Soke. He also has his 8th Dan from the World Organizer of Martial Arts (WOMA) and is a lifetime member of the International Grandmaster Society.
Grandmaster Wayne Thomas is an Executive Advisory Board member, Public Relations Chief and Recording Secretary of the United States Head of Family Martial Arts Association and a member of the Eastern U.S.A. International Martial Arts Association. He is a lifetime member of many organizations such as: Nihon To-Jutsu Karate-Do Kai and the International San Ryu Do Federation.
He has been appointed by the United States Head Of Family Martial Arts Association and International Supreme Elite Warrior’s Council to the Tae Kwon Do Certification Board of Examiners and the Korean Martial Arts Board of Directors Region (1).
Grandmaster Quoc Tran http://www.tcmaacademy.com
35th Generation Shaolin Temple Warrior Secular Disciple
* Founder of Vietnamese Combat Martial Arts / Wushu (Tinh Vo Dao/Vietnamese Combat Natural Boxing, Tranjitsu, Street Rapid Defense System and Lu Tran Kung Fu)
* Inducted into over 60 martial arts Hall of Fames
* Film Actor - Featured in the movie "The Kill Factor - Thunderkick 2"
Master/Sifu Quoc L. Tran was born and raised in a Christian family in Can Tho, Vietnam. He has 1 brother, 3 sisters and parents. Master Tran and his family came to the United States in 1986 and settled in Brooklyn, New York for several years and later relocated to Hackensack, New Jersey.
Master Tran is a young and talented, Vietnamese martial artist who has been involved in the martial arts since he was very young in which he has studied, trained, taught and researched. Master Tran currently holds high black belt rank in several martial arts styles and systems.
Master Tran began to teach martial arts privately while he attended New Jersey Institute of Technology where he studied and graduated with a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science on January 23, 2002. After he graduated, he continued to teach martial arts privately to his students at his house. He is recognized as the Grandmaster and Founder of his own fighting styles, an innovator and a very humble person. He is known as a loving and caring person. He is a person full of compassion for the people.
He founded the style of Tinh Vo Dao/Vietnamese Combat Natural Boxing, Tranjitsu, Street Rapid Defense System and Lu Tran Kung Fu. All his styles are recognized both nationally and internationally by some of the most respected, renowned and well established martial arts organizations in the world. For all the styles that he founded, Master Tran calls it "Vietnamese Combat Martial Arts / Wushu”. Master Tran would love to shares his styles and knowledge to anyone who want to learn. Master Tran has received the honorary Shaolin Monk name “Shi Yan Fu” which means “Master Tiger Eye”, given to him by Grandmaster Prof. Dr. Bernd Hohle "Gin Long - Golden Dragon Jr.", 33rd Generation Inheritor of Shaolin Lohan Kung Fu Master and Headmaster of the Martial Arts Association – International. Master Tran was recognized and affiliated by a 32nd Generation Shaolin Monk, Grandmaster Prof. Dr. Gu Ping. Prof. Dr. Gu Ping is the World President of the International Gu Ping Wushu Federation in Guangdong, People’s Republic of China.
On June 19, 2004, Master Tran was married to Thao M. Lu who was also born in Vietnam. His wife was graduated with the same major as him; a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the Polytechnic University in New York. He and his wife currently settle in New Jersey. On August 18, 2007, Master Tran was appointed as USA Ambassador for the International Martial Arts Research Institute (Member of the Advisory Council). The certificate of appointment was presented to Master Tran by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri. Dr. George Chan Hong Nam at the 4th World Martial Arts Black Belt Hall of Fame held at Penview Inn, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
On January 12, 2008, Master Tran was inducted into the Action Martial Arts Magazine’s Hall of Honors and was awarded “Kung Fu Grand Master of the Year”. The event was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
On April 25th, 2008, Master Tran is officially accepted as the "35th Generation Shaolin Temple Warrior Secular Disciple" by Master Shi Yan Lu. The Buddhist ceremony was held at the Shaolin Monastary in Dengfeng City, Henan Province, China. During the ceremony, Master Tran received his official Shaolin Monk name "Shi Heng Peng". Master Tran is now officially includes in the Shaolin Monks family.
Master Tran is a student of Master Shi Xing Wang, 32nd Generation Shaolin Monk and Master Shi Yan Lu, 34th Generation Shaolin Monk.
* Founder of Vietnamese Combat Martial Arts / Wushu (Tinh Vo Dao/Vietnamese Combat Natural Boxing, Tranjitsu, Street Rapid Defense System and Lu Tran Kung Fu)
* Inducted into over 60 martial arts Hall of Fames
* Film Actor - Featured in the movie "The Kill Factor - Thunderkick 2"
Master/Sifu Quoc L. Tran was born and raised in a Christian family in Can Tho, Vietnam. He has 1 brother, 3 sisters and parents. Master Tran and his family came to the United States in 1986 and settled in Brooklyn, New York for several years and later relocated to Hackensack, New Jersey.
Master Tran is a young and talented, Vietnamese martial artist who has been involved in the martial arts since he was very young in which he has studied, trained, taught and researched. Master Tran currently holds high black belt rank in several martial arts styles and systems.
Master Tran began to teach martial arts privately while he attended New Jersey Institute of Technology where he studied and graduated with a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science on January 23, 2002. After he graduated, he continued to teach martial arts privately to his students at his house. He is recognized as the Grandmaster and Founder of his own fighting styles, an innovator and a very humble person. He is known as a loving and caring person. He is a person full of compassion for the people.
He founded the style of Tinh Vo Dao/Vietnamese Combat Natural Boxing, Tranjitsu, Street Rapid Defense System and Lu Tran Kung Fu. All his styles are recognized both nationally and internationally by some of the most respected, renowned and well established martial arts organizations in the world. For all the styles that he founded, Master Tran calls it "Vietnamese Combat Martial Arts / Wushu”. Master Tran would love to shares his styles and knowledge to anyone who want to learn. Master Tran has received the honorary Shaolin Monk name “Shi Yan Fu” which means “Master Tiger Eye”, given to him by Grandmaster Prof. Dr. Bernd Hohle "Gin Long - Golden Dragon Jr.", 33rd Generation Inheritor of Shaolin Lohan Kung Fu Master and Headmaster of the Martial Arts Association – International. Master Tran was recognized and affiliated by a 32nd Generation Shaolin Monk, Grandmaster Prof. Dr. Gu Ping. Prof. Dr. Gu Ping is the World President of the International Gu Ping Wushu Federation in Guangdong, People’s Republic of China.
On June 19, 2004, Master Tran was married to Thao M. Lu who was also born in Vietnam. His wife was graduated with the same major as him; a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the Polytechnic University in New York. He and his wife currently settle in New Jersey. On August 18, 2007, Master Tran was appointed as USA Ambassador for the International Martial Arts Research Institute (Member of the Advisory Council). The certificate of appointment was presented to Master Tran by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri. Dr. George Chan Hong Nam at the 4th World Martial Arts Black Belt Hall of Fame held at Penview Inn, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
On January 12, 2008, Master Tran was inducted into the Action Martial Arts Magazine’s Hall of Honors and was awarded “Kung Fu Grand Master of the Year”. The event was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
On April 25th, 2008, Master Tran is officially accepted as the "35th Generation Shaolin Temple Warrior Secular Disciple" by Master Shi Yan Lu. The Buddhist ceremony was held at the Shaolin Monastary in Dengfeng City, Henan Province, China. During the ceremony, Master Tran received his official Shaolin Monk name "Shi Heng Peng". Master Tran is now officially includes in the Shaolin Monks family.
Master Tran is a student of Master Shi Xing Wang, 32nd Generation Shaolin Monk and Master Shi Yan Lu, 34th Generation Shaolin Monk.
Grandmasters Joseph and Jason Victory http://www.victorymartialartscouncil.com/
Victory Martial Arts International Council is headed by Shodai-Soke Joseph M. Victory, Jr. and Grandmaster Jason R. Victory. Shodai-Soke Victory and Grandmaster Victory have founded 6 Martial Art Systems. Shodai-Soke Victory holds 11th Degree Black Belt in Kaku Ryu Ninjutsu (founder) and 10th Degree Black Belt in 16 martial art forms. Grandmaster Victory holds 10th Degree Black Belt in 13 martial art forms. We offer ranking/promotion in MMA and traditional martial art styles. Soke Victory and Grandmaster Victory offer over 70 years of combined experience in the martial arts. Our Black Belt Review Board consists of highly trained and ranked martial warriors with varied martial training experience.
Grandmaster George Woodard
Grand Master George Aloysius Woodard was born January 31, 1952 on a cool Wednesday afternoon at 2:58 P.M. His father, Joseph A. Woodard, was a U.S. Army man. His mother, Ruth, was a housewife. Grand Master Woodard was named after his uncle, his father’s brother, who was a military man his entire life. Grandmaster Woodard recalls his early years in South Philadelphia on 24th and Reed Street. He was placed in an orphanage at the age of seven because his mother could not take care of him and his siblings. Understand that this was the sixties and times were very hard. He stayed in an orphanage for about two and half years until he was adopted by a beautiful woman named Ethel Daniels.
At age 10, while living in Miss Daniels home he began training in the art of Japanese Shotokan in the Germantown area of Philadelphia. A young man named Steven Adams was learning martial arts at the local YMCA at Germantown and Cheltenham Avenue. Grandmaster Woodard never personally trained there, but Steve wanted to work out all the time, so this is where his training began. Steve and Grandmaster Woodard became partners in the martial arts. He later began training at Shuto’s Karate Club on Cheltenham Avenue around the corner from the YMCA. He went through all the ranks as an average student and became a Black Belt at the age of 14. He earned his third degree Black Belt before the age of 20. He carried the rank of Sandan for a very long time.
In the early 70s, he joined the United States Air Force and served for two and a half years. He trained at an off‐base school called The Iron Butterfly Dojo in Norfolk, Virginia. He returned home in the mid-70s and found the American Youth Academy (AYA) Karate School operated by a very tough, but great man named Sensei Ernest Paramore. Sensei Paramore opened his arms and Grandmaster Woodard became his Chief Instructor. Soon after, Grandmaster Woodard began teaching at the Kingsessing Recreation Center and later opened the Golden Sai Karate School located at 52nd and Race Street.
Grandmaster Woodard recalls many great memories from his early days training at Sensei Paramore’s school. He would ride his bike from Broad and Olney to workout at the AYA and then ride back home. At the AYA, Grandmaster Woodard met a few young men willing and ready to work as hard as he did. In the late 70s, Grandaster Woodard and a student at the AYA were rated two of the top ten fighters in the East Coast area. The student’s name is Grandmaster John Crudup. Grandmaster Woodard ceased to train over the years, but he is back with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. He is a proud member of the Universal Song Do Kwan Alliance. This is the story of Grand Master Gee Woo, a.k.a. George A. Woodard.
At age 10, while living in Miss Daniels home he began training in the art of Japanese Shotokan in the Germantown area of Philadelphia. A young man named Steven Adams was learning martial arts at the local YMCA at Germantown and Cheltenham Avenue. Grandmaster Woodard never personally trained there, but Steve wanted to work out all the time, so this is where his training began. Steve and Grandmaster Woodard became partners in the martial arts. He later began training at Shuto’s Karate Club on Cheltenham Avenue around the corner from the YMCA. He went through all the ranks as an average student and became a Black Belt at the age of 14. He earned his third degree Black Belt before the age of 20. He carried the rank of Sandan for a very long time.
In the early 70s, he joined the United States Air Force and served for two and a half years. He trained at an off‐base school called The Iron Butterfly Dojo in Norfolk, Virginia. He returned home in the mid-70s and found the American Youth Academy (AYA) Karate School operated by a very tough, but great man named Sensei Ernest Paramore. Sensei Paramore opened his arms and Grandmaster Woodard became his Chief Instructor. Soon after, Grandmaster Woodard began teaching at the Kingsessing Recreation Center and later opened the Golden Sai Karate School located at 52nd and Race Street.
Grandmaster Woodard recalls many great memories from his early days training at Sensei Paramore’s school. He would ride his bike from Broad and Olney to workout at the AYA and then ride back home. At the AYA, Grandmaster Woodard met a few young men willing and ready to work as hard as he did. In the late 70s, Grandaster Woodard and a student at the AYA were rated two of the top ten fighters in the East Coast area. The student’s name is Grandmaster John Crudup. Grandmaster Woodard ceased to train over the years, but he is back with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. He is a proud member of the Universal Song Do Kwan Alliance. This is the story of Grand Master Gee Woo, a.k.a. George A. Woodard.
Grandmaster Harold Woodley
Compiling Information
Grandmaster Ozzie Wright, Jr.
Grand Master Osborne H. Wright, Jr. opened the first Chang Moo Kwan, Tae Kwon Do Martial Arts school of Philadelphia in 1971 as a First Degree Black Belt. He now ranks as Grand Master 9th Degree Black Belt. As one of the foremost martial arts instructors in the United States, Grand Master Wright opened and maintains several martial arts schools in Philadelphia, New York, and Massachusetts.
Concurrently with his martial arts career, Grand Master Wright earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Temple University, a Master of Science Degree from Saint Joseph's University and postgraduate studies at Cheney University. He is currently the administrator with the School District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and an active member of the United States Army Reserve.
Using education as a vehicle to impact the future of our youth, Ozzie also employs martial arts skills to reach youth and adults from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds, teaching thousands, the way to carry on the tradition that began with Grand Master Wright.
Concurrently with his martial arts career, Grand Master Wright earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Temple University, a Master of Science Degree from Saint Joseph's University and postgraduate studies at Cheney University. He is currently the administrator with the School District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and an active member of the United States Army Reserve.
Using education as a vehicle to impact the future of our youth, Ozzie also employs martial arts skills to reach youth and adults from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds, teaching thousands, the way to carry on the tradition that began with Grand Master Wright.
Hanshi Bennie "ZIP" Young http://umartialartsscience.tripod.com/id3.html
Hanshi Bennie “Zip” Young is the founder of the University of Martial Arts and Sciences Goju Ryu System. Hanshi Young has over 44 years of martial arts experience, 30 years in various Goju Ryu systems. Within the last 14 years Hanshi Young has studied with the late M. Terry Hayford Shihan (Dai Gakko No Bujitsu Kai) & Samuel Bell Shihan (Mixed Martial Arts).
Hanshi Young is currently a member of and advisor to the Aiki Kan Preservation Society and advisor to the Kari No Michi Ryu under the direction of Carey Rossignol Hanshi Shodai. As well as a member and advisor to the International Ryu Kyu Kai Karate Association, under the direction of Dr. Robert Handley Hanshi.
Areas of Martial Arts Studied:
Goju Ryu Karate‐Do
Goju Ryu Karate‐Jitsu
Tanto‐jitsu (art of knife self defense
Jo‐jitsu (art of 4foot staff)
Kyusho‐jitsu (art of pressure point striking)
Yubi‐jitsu (art of finger techniques)
Current Ranks & Titles:
Hanshi, 9th Dan/Founder, University of Martial Arts and Sciences Goju Ryu System.
9th Dan, Hanshi, Daiken Kempo
Delaware Representative, Karate‐jitsu, Dai Gakko No Bujitsu Kai.
Advisor, Aiki Kan Preservation Society.
Sou Dan Yako, Advisor, Kari No Michi Ryu.
Hanshi Young is currently a member of and advisor to the Aiki Kan Preservation Society and advisor to the Kari No Michi Ryu under the direction of Carey Rossignol Hanshi Shodai. As well as a member and advisor to the International Ryu Kyu Kai Karate Association, under the direction of Dr. Robert Handley Hanshi.
Areas of Martial Arts Studied:
Goju Ryu Karate‐Do
Goju Ryu Karate‐Jitsu
Tanto‐jitsu (art of knife self defense
Jo‐jitsu (art of 4foot staff)
Kyusho‐jitsu (art of pressure point striking)
Yubi‐jitsu (art of finger techniques)
Current Ranks & Titles:
Hanshi, 9th Dan/Founder, University of Martial Arts and Sciences Goju Ryu System.
9th Dan, Hanshi, Daiken Kempo
Delaware Representative, Karate‐jitsu, Dai Gakko No Bujitsu Kai.
Advisor, Aiki Kan Preservation Society.
Sou Dan Yako, Advisor, Kari No Michi Ryu.
