Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameron Cullers.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cameron. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started Martial Arts when I was five years old in Detroit, Michigan. My father, Craig Cullers (4th degree Tang Soo Do), was my first martial arts instructor. Every Saturday morning, I would be in the Dojo with my sibling’s training. My older brother and two older sisters would accompany me. I always loved the action. Cartoons and movies were my favorite and while my older siblings dreaded going to the martial arts school, I loved it. It was my outlet to make all the moves I saw on the Power Rangers and Mortal Kombat. I never saw martial arts as a career, not until I got older and was presented with the opportunity. I lived in three different states, Michigan, Illinois and Georgia and had been studying different styles of Martial Arts over the course of that time. I became proficient and a black belt in 3 different styles of Karate, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Hapkido, as of recently, I started studying Aikido. In 2015 I started performing stunts on different movies and television series. Some of my favorite work was done on Chicago PD as the stunt double for Laroyce Hawkins, who plays Officer Atwater. Now located in Atlanta, Georgia I do stunt choreography for local projects as well as my own production that I am shooting in March, An action short called The Iron Knight Chronicles. In August of 2018, I started teaching at Spelman College as the Self Defense, Boxing and Martial Arts Professor. It was one of my dreams to teach martial arts at a Historical Black College and it came true. I am proud to say I am going on my second year teaching there. Later that year, in December of 2018, I opened my martial Arts school to Empower Mentorship and Martial Arts. I wanted the opportunity to give back and offer students an opportunity that taught them more than just how to handle a bully or how to punch and kick. I wanted a school that would provide a haven for those students that were conflicted with their own emotional, mental and physical conflicts. So many people need to channel certain energies into the right mediums, my school allows an individual to do that. We are going on our second year and the student number is growing. Parents are getting involved and we have entire families on the floor at the same time. We are a community school and we encourage the whole family to be involved just as my dad included my entire family. 2018 had to be the year that propelled me into my momentum of success. That year I also became a world champion in Karate as well as 3x state champion in Taekwondo Men’s Category 18-29.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My journey as a martial artist has been just that a journey and filled with bumps and bruises. However, extremely rewarding. I have had multiple injuries such as the strained groin, broken foot, pulled quadriceps, broken fingers—bruised or broken Ribs. I say rewarding because there were lessons in all of the injuries that I received. I remember doing a tournament in Virginia Beach. I was sparring and had kicked my opponent in the head and ended up winning the match but breaking my foot. I was in a lot of pain and probably should’ve called it a day at that point. I had gotten first place in all of the categories except combat sparring, which was the last one that I needed to compete in. I willed my self into the ring and competed on that broken foot. I ended up taken 1st place for that category as well. When it was all said and done, I walked away with 1st place in all four categories. My foot was throbbing and was an extremely uncomfortable ride back home to Atlanta. However, It was the most rewarding experience.
Please tell us about your work.
Empower Mentorship and Martial arts is based in the Kusanyiko Do style which is a traditional form of martial arts that combines the techniques and practices of Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Judo, Aikido and Karate. The goal of Kusanyiko Do is to enrich one’s mind, body and spirit to the highest level possible. Empower martial arts to teach a curriculum that includes the practices of physical fitness, forms, personal safety, weapons training, sparring and life skills. Meditation is movement and at Empower, we focus on centering your energy into focused movement and channeling your energy into the highest progressive form possible. We teach our students how to take what they already have and maximize it to their benefit in a progressive way in and outside of the Dojo. We specialize in building relationships outside of the school as well.
Along with our fun days, we present opportunities for students to express and follow their dreams. An example of this, one of our students wrote a book. We, as a school, contributed promotional assistance for this student to sell their book. Another student is interested in acting. We networked with a production company to see how this student could be in a movie and that student was booked for that production. We follow a model “when you are empowered, you are family” and our other model is “Legacy starts Here”. We pride ourselves on being more than a martial arts school. We are a family and we look after our own.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I have been looking at multiple new spaces and buildings for the growth that is taking place at our school. With the increasing number of new students that we are receiving, empower definitely needs a bigger space. In efforts to expand and build on our culture, we will be relocating to another building in the near future. Eventually, I look to open multiple locations to reach the inquiring audiences, for right now, relocation is the next big venture for our school.
My martial arts school is also being featured on a new movie production “The Iron Knight Chronicles” starring Randi Daniels, Norman James and Myself. Our school will be supplying actors, Trainning in fight choreography as well as the space for a few of the scenes.
Contact Info:
- Address: 110 Selig Drive Southwest
- Phone: 3133185725
- Email: empowermartialartskudo@gmail.com
- Instagram: empowermma
- Facebook: Empower Mentorship and Martial Arts
- Twitter: Empower Mentorship and Martial Arts
Image Credit:
Kyle Dickerson
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