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Brief Organizational Description:
A non-profit martial arts school whose founder, World Karate Champion, Professor Vernon “Taishi” Jones, created the organization at the age of 14, in 1987, initially as a community service project.
Their primary focus is to provide after school tutoring, karate and summer camp programs to disadvantaged youth and their families. Over 85% of their student population has received free or reduced lunch, since its inception over 19 years ago.
Alumni after graduating from B.L.A.M. have gone on to being at the top of their class at institutions such as Harvard University, Georgetown University, the US Air Force Academy, the University of Miami and numerous others; also they continue on as positive productive citizens in their community or abroad.
Their annual fund/friend raiser, the S.I.M.A.T. Karate Championship to Benefit Children (www.superstarinvitational.com) is one of the largest National Martial Arts Tournaments in the United States (www.naska.com).
Professor Jones has been the youngest minority promoter in the world, for an event of this magnitude. All proceeds provide martial arts scholarships and competitive exposure to disadvantaged youth. The May 2-3, 2008 event will mark the 10th Anniversary of the event.
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