April J. Cunningham, “Grandmaster” 10th Degree Black Belt, has been in the martial arts for 52 years, and remains a World Certified Black Belt and is World Martial Arts Ranking Association Member Number 137. She is the founder, owner, and manager of Houston Karate Academy located in Houston Texas. Houston Karate Academy offers mixed martial arts programs in the following arts: Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Bujinkan, Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and Yoga.. Ms. Cunningham’s martial arts training began in December, 1969 and she earned her 1st Degree Black Belt under Mr. J.P. Burleson in June, 1973, and was promoted to 10th Degree Black Belt in February of 2018. Ms. Cunningham teaching philosophy is feels that “a child with a strong self esteem is much less likely to become involved in any activity that is unhealthy or unsafe.” Kids need to like themselves. At HKA, we can work with the parents and teachers to elevate a child’s self confidence so they are not subject to peer pressure, and ultimately participate in activities that can lead to an unhealthy outcome. Also, many of our kids experience an increase in their ability to relax and concentrate and achieve higher grades in school. Very quickly, they are placed in our academic excellence program and receive special recognition on each rank exam for being on the A or B honor roll. Houston Karate Academy also accepts most Special Needs children including LD, ADHD, Downs Syndrome, physical handicapped and Autistic children. Ms. Cunningham feels that children with special needs require special attention. Many special needs children are unable to participate in school sports. In October of 1985, Ms. Cunningham began working with the American Red Cross Houston Chapter of the Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County, and pioneered the first structured martial arts training program for learning disabled/handicapped individuals in Harris County. In December of 1988, Mr. Burleson and the American Karate Black Belt Association awarded her the first Certificate of Achievement ever awarded to a female black belt, for her work with handicapped children and adults. 

Jhoon Rhee is a South Korean master of Tae Kwon Do who is widely recognized as the ‘Father of American Tae Kwon Do. Upon arriving in the 1950’s, he introduced this martial art to the United States of America. He began his training under Grand Master Won Kuk Lee.

Rich Cearley Shihan[師範](Master Instructor) is the head Bujinkan Budo Ninpo Taijutsu [武神館武道忍法体術] teacher at Houston Karate Academy.  He travels regularly to Japan to train with his teacher, Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi Soke[初見良昭家](Grandmaster) and the Japanese Shihan. Rich received his Shidoshi Menkyo [指導し免許](instructor’s license) in 1995 and currently holds the rank of Judan Kugyo Happo Biken [十段空行八法秘剣](10th Degree at Void Level of Eight Directional Sword Secrets or 15th Degree Black Belt).  Hastumi Sensei presented Rich with the Gold Medal of the Bujinkan in November 2013 in recognition of his dedication to the art.  Rich feels fortunate to have trained with many Japanese and foreign instructors and tries to foster a fighting spirit and good heart in his students.