Grandmaster Cleveland Robinson

It all started during the summer of 1973, I started my Martial Arts career in a small community known as North Babylon just outside New York City; under the tutelage of Sensei Makakuvu Ali El Bey (Furman Simmons) who was a student of Professor Moses Powell founder of the Sanuces Ryu School of Self Defense as it was called at the time. I also did some training in Shotokan under Kyoshi Adolfo Ennever Chief Instructor of the Babylon Karate Center. During the middle of the week, Sensei Makakuvu informed me that our Saturday morning classes would be held in Brooklyn at 554 Atlantic Ave., and be taught by Professor Moses Powell.  Back in those days’ martial arts was taught by Asians.When his name was mention; I knew he wasn't an Asian but an American. We arrived to the dojo as Professor Powell was teaching class. Although his physic was enormous, his movements were so graceful, as was his techniques.  I became intrigued by the speed of his hand-to-hand techniques, which represented a combination of styles from different arts. The idea of integrating techniques from a variety of martial arts appealed greatly to me. Seeing Professor Powell fly through the air and rolling out on one finger was awesome. This was the beginning of my martial arts career.  I continued my training under Professor Moses Powell until business commitments took him to Florida.  I was introduced to Dr. Powell's number one student at the time, Soke "little" John Davis founder of Kumite Ryu Jiu Jitsu. I remember watching Soke on a televised match, ABC's Wide World of Sports against Sifu Tayari Casel during the 1970's, was an enriching experience.  I received my Sho-Dan rank on November 15, 1979, under Soke John Davis. I joined the NYC Dept. of Corrections in 1984 to 1995. I was a member of the NYC Department of Corrections Emergency Response Unit from 1990 to 1995. I was part of a team of officers who provided security for New York City Mayor David Dinkins, singers Patti LaBelle and Bob Marley. I also appeared in the movie “The Last Dragon” starring Taimak and Vanity. During the summer of 1990 while walking home, I ran into Dr. Powell outside, “When Worlds Collide” dojo where I continued my training alongside other great martial artist such as Grandmaster Anthony Muhammad, Professor Pedro Vialet, Soke Haisan Kaleak, Grandmaster Abdul Mutakabbir, Dr. Joe Clark, Professor Bill McCloud, Professor Adam Battle, Kyoshi Malik Shabazz, Shihan Hamilton Banks, Grandmaster Ernest Miles and the list goes on.  On September 19, 1990, I received the rank of San-Dan (4th degree black belt).  Four years later on November 15th, 1994, I was awarded the rank of Roku-Dan (6th degree black belt) under the same man I admired and respect to this day.  On April 8th, 1995 just before I left for Georgia, Dr. Powell awarded me with the rank of Shichidan (7th degree black belt).  Dr. Powell wisdom and knowledge of the martial arts will always be the teacher of teachers. While training at the “When Worlds Collide” dojo, I met Brother Tanwir Sahib Co-founder of Fannul Harb Martial Arts System. Together we open a school where a variety of martial art styles were taught. In 1995 I left New York City for Atlanta, Georgia. There I meant Sabumnim David Burgess of the Nakanishi Karate & Fitness Center. Our teachings and philosophy were pretty much the same. One day we discussed about writing a book, “The Modern Day Warriors: In Their Own Words”. Sabumnim Burgess commitment was elsewhere, so I became the lone author of the book. During the summer of 1998 and having over 25 years in the martial arts; has lead Shihan Hamilton Banks and myself to put together a style of martial arts, which we called, San Ku Ryu Jiu-Jitsu School of Survival, where we teach a combination of Sanuces Ryu, Kumite Ryu, Shotokan, Fannul Harb Ju-Jitsu and Arnis. During my tenure in martial arts, I‘ve been blessed to have meant some truly great legends of the Martial Art community. Grandmaster Papasan Canty of Kuroshi-Do; for his wisdom, and guidance, to help me not only complete my first book, but open my eyes to the legitimacy of Grandmastership with his book titled, “Help The Bearer – A Road Map To Grand Master”. I also like to thank Grandmaster Lou Ferrer, Soke Tanwir Sahib, Grandmaster Terryl Richardson, Grandmaster Taji Nanji, Kyoshi Malik Shabazz, Professor Lusk Penn, Shihan York Singleton, Shiahn James Norman, and countless others for their support.