52 Blocks Schools Listing
There is nothing like learning Afrocentric martial arts from a qualified instructor in person in your local area. Not all of the schools below are affiliated with 52 Blocks Norfolk VA, but this is our directory of schools, clubs, or training spots we recommend. It can be difficult to find a quality place to train, so we wanted to provide a list to help you get started. If there is not one in your area, feel free to reach out to an instructor as many offer online or Zoom classes.
52 Blocks Norfolk VA
In-person and Online Lessons
52 Blocks Norfolk VA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting Black History, cultural awareness, and Pan-Afrikan unity through the training, discipline, and preservation of 52 Blocks. Based in Norfolk, Virginia, under Professor Rob, we use martial arts education to connect individuals with the history, culture, and fighting traditions of the African American community while building confidence, discipline, self-defense skills, and community.
Classes avaialable for kids and adults! Classes are Sundays 3pm - 4pm, $50/month. Discounts for men, women, & children. Don't let price stop you from training! Call/text/email us!
4208 Bainbridge Blvd
Chesapeake, VA
United States
Book your FREE TRIAL CLASS:
Email:
52BlocksLDA@gmail.com
Call/Text:
757-637-0392
Join the 52 Blocks Federation
Based in Harlem, NYC, but membership is available globally
Professor Mo (Mahaliel Bethea) is a highy respected martial artist, instructor, filmmaker, and one of the leading modern advocates for the preservation and promotion of the 52 Blocks. As President of the 52 Blocks Federation, he has dedicated himself to sharing the knowledge, culture, and fighting principles of this uniquely African American martial art with students around the world.
Professor Mo began his martial arts journey at a young age and developed experience across multiple fighting systems. His training includes 52 Blocks, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Arnis, Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, and other martial arts disciplines. He is also a former martial arts competitor and champion, bringing decades of fighting, coaching, and practical experience to his teaching.
His connection to 52 Blocks is deeply personal. Professor Mo has shared that he learned the art through his family, including training with his uncle during summers in Brooklyn, New York. His approach to 52 Blocks emphasizes movement, defense, counterattacks, adaptability, timing, and the development of each practitioner's individual fighting ability.
Beyond martial arts, Professor Mo has worked as an actor, stuntman, filmmaker, producer, and professional bodyguard. His diverse background and decades of experience have allowed him to bring 52 Blocks to new audiences through seminars, demonstrations, media appearances, and martial arts events.
Today, Professor Mo continues to teach and promote 52 Blocks internationally while helping preserve its legacy for future generations. Through the 52 Blocks Federation, he works to build a community of practitioners dedicated to training, sharing knowledge, and keeping the art alive.
Join the Federation at:
www.patreon.com/52BlocksFed
52 Blocks DMV/Maryland - Uhuru Martial Arts
Professor Mark is a Certified Instructor in 52 Blocks under Professor Mo and the 52 Blocks Federation.
Washington, DC, Silver Spring Maryland/ DMV
Call:
703-220-1757
Website:
www.UhuruMA.com
www.instagram.com/uhurumartialarts/
52 Blocks Chicago IL - Harakati za Waasi and Chicago Malandros de Mestre Touro
Professor Dr. Kamau Rashid is a Certified 52 Blocks Instructor under Professor Mo and the 52 Blocks Federation. He's also a Capoerista and Instructor in many African and Afro-Diaspora martial arts such as Kalinda, El Juego de Mani, and Cocobalé.
10340 S. Western Ave., Suite 2B (2nd floor)
Chicago, Illinois
United States
and online via Zoom
Phone: (773) 609-4699
www.hzwmartialarts.com
www.chicagomalandros.com
52 Blocks Mobile AL - Capoeira Beira Mar Mobile
Coach Phil is a Certified Associate under Professor Mo and the 52 Blocks Federation and teaching 52 Blocks and Capoeira in the Mobile, Alabama area.
Phone: 843-481-0773
https://www.selfdefensesession.mystrikingly.com
IG: @selfdefensesession
52 Blocks Atlanta GA - JA Crooms
In-person workshops & online lessons
Certified 52 Blocks Instructor under Professor Mo and the 52 Blocks Federation. Professor Crooms is the creator of Action Movement Performance (A.M.P.), a training community covering 52 Blocks street boxing/self-defense, Filipino martial arts, Silat, hand-to-hand combat, and fight choreography for film. He has also been involved in the 52 Blocks work surrounding Jonathan Majors' upcoming film project, alongside Professor Lyte Burly and fight choreographer Larnell Stovall.
Connect:
52 Blocks South Africa - Osondu Thambo
Professor Osondu is the Founder of 52 Blocks Federation South Africa, under the guidance of Professor Mo Bethea, and is dedicated to preserving and promoting 52 Blocks while expanding awareness of Afrikan and African Diaspora martial arts traditions.
Through his corporate safety and wellness programs, Osondu helps organizations and individuals develop confidence, situational awareness, leadership, teamwork, and practical self-defense skills. His approach combines physical training with principles of awareness, discipline, communication, and personal development.
Beyond martial arts instruction, Osondu provides weapons education and demonstrations for film and television, stunt work, and theatrical productions, including the use and presentation of historical and exotic weapons for performance purposes. He also develops cultural combative performances and educational experiences that connect audiences throughout the African Diaspora with African martial arts, history, and cultural traditions.
With three decades of experience and a passion for martial arts, culture, and education, Osondu brings a unique combination of practical skill, international training, and cultural knowledge to every program he delivers.
Connect:
52 Blocks Los Angeles CA - Professor King
Professor King is a member of the 52 Blocks Federation under Professor Mo and teaches out of Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding areas.
He can be reached via text at: 626-373-6941
52 Blocks Louisiana - Basil Green
Basil Green teaches and train in Louisiana, reach out to us at 52BlocksLDA@gmail.com or 757-637-0392 to get his contact info and city.
52 Blocks DMV - Coach Welton
Coach Welton also teaches and trains in the DMV area. He can be reached at 202-507-1548.
52 Blocks San Antonio TX - Professor Lyte Burly
In-person and online lessons
It goes without saying that the 52 Blocks would not be where it is today without the work of Professor Lyte Burly, a pioneer in the 52 Blocks.
Lyte Burly is a prolific martial artist, instructor, and dedicated practitioner of 52 Blocks, also known as the Art of Defense. With years of training, research, and hands-on experience, he has become one of the leading voices helping preserve, teach, and share the techniques and culture of this uniquely African American fighting system.
Known for his detailed approach to instruction, Lyte Burly breaks down the defensive movements, blocks, strikes, footwork, body positioning, and fighting concepts of 52 Blocks for both beginners and experienced martial artists. His teaching emphasizes practical application, timing, movement, defense, and the development of individual style.
Through seminars, online instruction, and martial arts training, Lyte Burly has helped introduce 52 Blocks to a new generation of practitioners around the world. His work continues to contribute to the growth and preservation of the art while encouraging students to explore its history, culture, and effectiveness as a system of self-defense.
Train with Lyte Burly and experience the Art of Defense from one of today's dedicated instructors and ambassadors of 52 Blocks.
www.learn-martialarts.com/p/52blocks
Instagram: @lyteburly52
52 Blocks Houston Texas - Kusini KaSunu
Coach Ra is a 52 Blocks Instructor under Professor Lyte Burly and trains out of Houston Texas.
Email: ra.shango@proton.me
Instagram: @52Blockz
52 Blocks Violent Tactics & Knowledge - Pennsylvania
Ken “Shadow” Goodman is a martial artist, combatives instructor, and the founder of 52 VtK (Violent Tactics Knowledge), a practical combat system rooted in the principles and movement of 52 Blocks.
A Brooklyn native, Goodman developed his fighting skills through more than 25 years within the New York State prison system, where he experienced firsthand the realities of close-quarters combat and survival. His training and experiences became the foundation for his approach to 52 VtK, emphasizing practical defense, adaptability, awareness, timing, and functional fighting skills.
Known as “Shadow,” Goodman teaches a reality-based approach to 52 Blocks that goes beyond sport and competition. His instruction explores defensive movement, striking, positioning, improvised responses, and the practical application of combat principles under pressure.
Through 52 VtK, seminars, workshops, and instructional programs, Goodman continues to share his knowledge with martial artists, self-defense practitioners, and students interested in the history and practical application of 52 Blocks.
Ken “Shadow” Goodman represents an important voice in the modern evolution of 52 Blocks, preserving its combative principles while developing them for today's practitioners.
Connect:
Instagram: @52_VTK
Email: 52taureanconsulting@gmail.com
Afrocentric and African Martial Arts Schools
This is a listing of non-52 Blocks school but schools that still teach Afrocentric Martial Arts. Definitely recommend you connect with them if they are in your area! Salute!
Afrikan Martial Arts Institute
4720 Brice Drive
Union City, GA
United States
Phone: (678) 871-6992
https://www.facebook.com/people/Afrikan-Martial-Arts-Institute/
akin.afrikanmartialarts@gmail.com
Os Malandros De Mestre Touro
6429 Imperial Ave
San Diego, CA
United States
Moyo Kazi, Neo Ngolo & MFSI
Mrithi Mfundishi Khalil Maasi
Newark, NJ
www.instagram.com/khalilmaasi
www.facebook.com/p/Khalil-MaasiMFSI-Esoteric-studies-Martial-Arts-Culture-100057389832840/
Onye N'Chebe Martial Arts
1100 E. Chelten Ave.
Philadelphia, PA
United States
Phone: (484) 254-6035
onyenchebema@gmail.com
www.onyenchebema.org
Mshindi Vita Saana
4130 Ridge Ave # 18524 Philadelphia, PA
United States
Phone: (484) 324-2716
https://direct.me/mshindiarts
Pan-Afrikan Grappling and Judo
104 Chowning Dr # 108
DeSoto, TX
United States
Phone: (972) 215-8002
panafrikanjudo@gmail.com
www.panafrikangrappling.com/
Capoeira Angola Center of Mestre João Grande
350 Fort Washington Ave
New York, NY
United States
and online via Zoom
info@joaogrande.org
https://joaogrande.org/
Tamerrian Institute
7701 Harper Ave
Detroit, MI
United States
www.instagram.com/tamerrian/
Dallas Malandros Capoeira Angola São Bento Grande
South Dallas Cultural Center
3400 S. Fitzhugh Ave., Dallas, TX United States
Phone: (972) 415-5103
E-mail: info@dallasmalandros.com
https://www.dallasmalandros.com/
AUSTIN WARRIOR ARTS
300 Brushy Creek, Ste 405
Austin, TX
United States
Phone: (512) 945-4241
austinwarriorarts@gmail.com
www.austinwarriorarts.com/
Brother David's Reiki & Yobè Ijakadi Afrikan Martial Arts
Oklahoma City, OK
United States
Message on Instagram
www.instagram.com/bodhisattvabelovedearth/