Gerald A. Chavez (pictured in early foto on the left), began his training with Sigung Sam Allred at West Mesa High
School 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 Sigung 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 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.
Sigung 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 Sigung 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 Sigung Al Decascos, Sigung Jon Loren, Sigung 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).
.
Chavez played an important role in the reformation of the International Kajukenbo Association. He was regional director for the State of New Mexico and later was elected to the position of secretary-treasurer.
He had made frequent visits to Mexico to train with Sigung Sam Allred and to work
with his students. During his
latest visit, he had the opportunity to give a workshop for 35 black belts at the
training center of
Maestro Mac Cimas, which is located on the campus of the huge Universitario Politecnico
in Mexico City.
Currently he is President of the American Kajukembo Association, which is Chaired by Alli Don Nahoolewa, who is Sigung Allred’s instructor. Gerald continues to teach at Life-Dance Martial Arts three days a week while completing his PhD in Clinical Psychology. He has promoted only 7 students to the rank of black belt. They are pictured below, rear to front: Gerald Chavez, Michael Gallegos, Hannah Mayne, Barb Singer, Glenn Hensen, and David Theis. Not pictured are Sam Adamo, and Yvonne Abeyta.
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