Certifications
- 7th degree black belt USA Karate Federation
- 2004 Instructor of the Year USA National Karate Federation
- USA Karate Federation Hall of Fame (Student of the year)
- USA Karate Federation Hall of Fame (Athlete)
Biography
I was raised in South Jamaica and St. Albans, New York practically my whole life until being drafted into the Army after my first year at Pace University (where I made the bowling team). After basic training, I was assigned to Vietnam where I finished his 2-year tour. After my military service, I moved back to St. Albans, New York and trained to become a Communications Technician for the NY Telephone Company while earning my Associates Degree at Queens Community College. I worked for the phone company for two years, then went on to Queens College to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education.
My working life has always revolved around helping people and doing something meaningful with my life. I had the opportunity to serve as the Assistant Director of St. Mary’s Hospital Brownville Methadone Maintenance Center, as well as the Director of the Central Civic Home Attendant Program.
I began training in Karate training while attending Queens Community College. After spending a year in Vietnam, I figured how bad could karate be after learning how to kill people in Vietnam. I continued my training in karate and was on the first karate team at that college. Having experienced the positive impacts of karate, I started the first karate school in St. Albans, New York at the St. Albans Recreation Center.
Karate for me has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Teaching kids and adults how to live a good life, how to protect themselves from danger, and how to be ready for an attack has truly been rewarding for me. I opened the first karate school at the Cross Island YMCA in Queens, New York called “Harakenkojuku -School of Moon and Water”.
It was there that I met a young girl named Cheryl Murphy. She was only a 10 year-old yellow belt, but I knew she had the ability to be the best in our country. I encouraged her to stay with it and now she has become a legend for the USA National Karate Federation. I have been fortunate to have instructed many great karate students and contributed towards their success in karate and in life.
We have competed in New York, New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Washington and California. In addition, my students have represented for the United States in Mexico, France, Germany, Costa Rica, Panama, Argentina Canada and more.
Karate (kara te) means “empty hand” in Japanese. Basically, to defend yourself without the use of a weapon. It also encourages a person to lead a good life. Not doing things to hurt people unless they are trying to hurt you.