GM Jack Dark started training in the martial arts at the age of 14 at the Authentic Karate Club AKA Kim Studio on 35th Street in Norfolk, VA. This studio was known as the first black-owned and operated martial arts school in Norfolk, Virginia. The 35th street system consisted of both Tae Kwon Do and Karate. Jack Dark was trained there by his instructor, Grand Master Harold L. Hankins, for 25 of the 29 years that he was in the community. On October 3, 1975, Jack Dark earned his first-degree black belt from GM Hankins.
After GM Hankins closed his school, Master Dark was given the blessing to open his own school. In 1994, he started teaching his own classes and in 1996, he opened his first studio. Jack Dark Tae Kwon Do Champions Martial Arts Center is the first black-owned and operated school in the city of Virginia Beach.
Master Dark was the only certified 6th Degree Black Belt and rose to the position of a senior student of GM Harold Hankins. Jack Dark earned his 7th and 8th Degree certification from Senior Grand Master Albert R. Cheeks, President of Ki Whang Kim Traditional Martial Arts Association. GM Dark currently holds the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt and is the highest-ranked non-Asian Tae Kwon Do Instructor in Virginia Beach.
In 2004, Master Dark started training in the art of the Korean Sword with the World Hai Dong Gumdo Federation. He is a part of the Korean Sword Master Training Program (4th Degree Program) and teaches Gumdo classes in his school.
Over the years, he has had the pleasure of training thousands of students and produced 60 black belts in his studio.
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2 comments
One of the best ,I know lots of students from the 35th street wrecking crew. You will most definitely leave there a better person.
I’ve known Mister Dark most of my adult life.He trained with all my brothers I know him to be a most honorable man..I would not want to face him in the ring ..Skip Williams