Dear Free Press,
In your Wednesday, August 26, 2009, issue, you had a detailed article about Grandmasters Robert Gene Graham and (younger brother) Rodney Eugene Graham. These men are the grandsons of the late Samuel and Alma Moore, of Independence Road in Adonijah.
The report was about how both brothers, who founded and head up the Christian Martial Arts Association, were inducted into the USA Martial Arts “Hall of Fame.” Both brothers also earned double doctoral degrees from the University of Asian Martial Arts Studies in Centerville, IN. The degrees are in Martial Arts Philosophy and Martial Arts Science. The induction was held in Cocoa Beach, FL, on August 1, 2009.
The same two brothers will again be inducted into the USA Martial Arts “Hall of Fame” this year, in Atlanta, GA, on September 19, 2015. 9th Degree Black Belt Dr. Robert G. Graham will receive the award of “The Non-Profit Organization of the Year” as the President of the Christian Martial Arts Association. Robert received the “Lifetime Golden Achievement” award in 2009.
9th Degree Black Belt Dr. Rodney E. Graham will receive “The Karate Competitor of the Year” award in this years’ induction ceremony. He had received “The Karate Grandmaster of the Year” award in 2009. Rodney, a USA AAU Karate competitor, received medals at the Eastern Carolina District Championships, the NC/SC State Championships, and the 5-State (AL, GA, NC, SC, TN) Super-Regional Championships. Rodney capped off the year by receiving seven medals (2 gold, 4 bronze, and 1 participation) at the United States AAU National Karate Championship Tournament. The tournament was held near the campus of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. It was held during the July 4th weekend. Rodney was a listed competitor in sparring, open forms, short weapons, and long weapons. He was also part of a team that was comprised of competitors from both North and South Carolina.
Rodney’s Participation Medal came as a result of setting a new world record. Guinness Book of World Records confirmed the successful effort of having “The Largest Number of Karate Practitioners Performing a Karate Kata at the Same Time.” This years’ team had over 1,000 members. The previous record was established in India in 2013. The group in India had slightly more than 800 practitioners.
Rodney will also attempt to earn his 10th Degree Black Belt and title of “Soke,” during a test in Atlanta. 10th Degree is the highest rank in Martial Arts. “Soke” is the highest title in all of Japanese Martial Arts. Rodney’s exam will be overseen by 6-Time Undefeated Men’s World Kickboxing Champion, Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, and 5-Time Women’s World Kickboxing Champion, Kathy Long.
Rodney is trained and coached by his older brother, Robert. Rodney serves as the Vice-President for the Christian Martial Arts Association. The brothers use the organization as a witnessing tool to reach individuals for Jesus Christ. People naturally admire and respect black belts, so it’s an effective way to spread the gospel.
Robert runs the World Martial Arts & Fitness Center in Summerville, SC. He is also employed in a managerial position with Republic Services.
Rodney is an “Armor” Instructor with Pro Martial Arts, at the Wescott Branch in Summerville, SC. Pro Martial Arts is a Fortune-500 group of franchise schools, located throughout the United States and Canada. The Armor Curriculum teaches students and parents how to counter anti-bullying and anti-predator situations and dangers. Rodney is also a paid staff member of Tall Pines Southern Baptist Church, serving as the Minister of Music. He is also a very accomplished drummer, having performed in about 50 Broadway-type musicals in the various theatres in the Charleston, SC, area. He has appeared on two TV telethons, and recorded Contemporary Christian and Broadway musical soundtracks. He attended college on a full-tuition percussion music scholarship.
Besides holding two Martial Arts Doctoral Degrees, Rodney has an Associate in Arts Degree from Trident Technical College. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from the Baptist College at Charleston, SC. He holds a Bachelor’s in Humanities & Fine Arts in Music, and a Bachelor’s in Social Science in Business and Education from Charleston Southern University. Rodney also holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. He graduated with 4.0 Honors, as an inducted member into Pi Lambda Theta Educational Honor Society and Alpha Chi Top-10% National College Honor Society. Rodney is also in the Cambridge Who’s Who Society of International Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs. In 2010, Rodney graduated from the University of Notre Dame with an Executive Certificate in “Principles of Business,” from the Mendoza College of Business, located on the Notre Dame Campus in South Bend, IN.
Robert was born on December 15, 1956, in Charlton Heights, WV. Rodney was born on December 28, 1959, in Gauley Bridge, WV. Both brothers reside in Summerville, SC. They are the sons of Della Ilene Moore-Graham of Lizemores, WV, and the late Thomas Gene Graham of Belle, WV. The brothers have many relatives that reside in Adonijah and other local areas of West Virginia
