Black Belt Legacy: From Cleveland Streets to Korean Screens
- Black Belt Team
- Aug 2
- 1 min read
Do you know his name? Do you remember his legacy? If you do, share a memory—keep his spirit alive.
He began his martial arts journey in 1957, just 10 years old—disciplined, focused, and already determined to rise.
From the gritty streets of Cleveland, Ohio, his path led him across the world: Vietnam, Korea, Germany, Japan, Hawaii, Venezuela, and throughout the United States. A Vietnam veteran, he served a decade in the U.S. Army as both a military police investigator and a hand-to-hand combat instructor.
His legacy reached far beyond the battlefield. He broke barriers as one of the first Black American to appear in Korean motion pictures. He competed and won internationally—most notably at the Karate Internationals in Venezuela—and was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Ohio.
His life and contributions have been chronicled in numerous publications, including Inside Kung-Fu, Karate Illustrated, Official Karate, Who's Who in Karate, The Pinnacle of Karate, Masters and Founders of the Martial Arts, Martial Arts Traditions: History, People, The Martial Arts Source Book, and The Official History of Karate in America.
He was more than a martial artist—he was a pioneer, a warrior, and a mentor.
Do you remember his name? His black belt legacy lives through you. Share a story. Pass it on.