MARTIAL ARTS HISTORY
Gerald A. Chavez (pictured in early foto on the left), began his training with now Senior G.M. Sam Allred in Albuquerque, NM in 1967.
He was Allred’s first student to achieve the rank of
black belt in the art of Kajukenbo Kempo Karate. Chavez also earned from Allred
his brown belt 2 kyu in Kodokan Judo. He was head instructor of Allred’s Karate
College of the Southwest, originally headquartered at the University of Albuquerque,
and he assisted with the organization of Thunderbird Kajukenbo Activities, inc. These activities included
the "National Karate Black Belt Championships", the "Central North American
Karate Championships," the "Southwest Open Karate Championships," the "National Karate Blackbelt Grand Championships,"
and many other demonstrations and presentations in the United States, Mexico, and Europe.
G.M. Chavez went on to open his own Kajukembo school, Life-Dance Martial Arts, which continues to function to in Albuquerque, NM. He became a volunteer at the Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center, where he taught self-defense to survivors. While doing his work at the Albuquerque Rape Crisis center, he was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the Governor of the State of New Mexico, Bruce King. He also did work for the "Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence" in Albuquerque, NM.
In 1980 Chavez
wrote his first book on self-defense, Karate Callejero (in Spanish) for Edamex Publishing
Company in Mexico City. Shortly thereafter, he wrote his second book, "Que Hacer Ante una Agresión Sexual."
One of
his achievements he
is most proud of is his collaboration with Senior G.M. Sam Allred on the book "Autodefensa
Callejera," which was
published in 1995.
In 1984, Chavez pioneered a
self-defense program at Memorial Psychiatric Hospital with Dr. Tom Carey. Gerald
taught karate to patients to address
issues of 
self-esteem,
depression, substance abuse, and anxiety. Gerald, along with
other members of Thunderbird
Kajukembo, sponsored a variety of workshops and seminars featuring many of the pivotal
figures in Kajukembo.
These included Senior G.M. Al Decascos, Senior G.M. Jon Loren (He earned his 6th degree blackbelt from GM Jon Loren
in Northern Kajukenbo Tum Pai), Senior G.M. Tony Ramos (deceased),
Sifu Bill Owens, Sifu Eric Lee, and Alii Don Nahoolewa (picture on left, Allred, Nahoolewa, and Chavez, during AKA National
Board meeting, 2001)(picture on right, with G.M. Eugene Sedeño and G.M. Ted Sotelo at a TKA seminar).
.
Chavez played an important role in the reformation of the International Kajukenbo Association, and was Regional Director for the State of New Mexico. He later was elected to the position of secretary-treasurer. He is former President of the American Kajukembo Association, which is Chaired by Alli Don Nahoolewa, and is currently a Senior Advisor for the Association.
He had made frequent visits to Mexico to
train with Senior G.M. Sam Allred, to present seminars to Mexico's Kajukenbo practicioners, and to work
with Allred's students. He has also presented a workshop for the black belts of the
training center of now deceased
Maestro Mac Cimas on the campus of the huge Universitario Politecnico
in Mexico City. In 2006 he was included in the Hall of Fame of Jukensa Kajukenbo receiving the "Premio Alii" as “Persona más Valiosa”.
Gerald continued teaching at
Life-Dance Martial Arts
three days a week while completing his PhD in Clinical Psychology, which he completed in 2008. He now works
as a Behavioralist at the Indian Health Services
Outpatient Clinic and also works with his own private psychology practice
where he does individual and family psychotherapy. He is listed in the
Who's Who of Latino Professionals and is a member of the Phi Beta
Kappa Honor Society, Alpha Chapter.