A lifetime on the mat.

“The belt is a marker, not a destination. What matters is the hundred thousand steps that got you there — and the hundred thousand still to come.”

Herman T. White Sr. is a 7th Degree Kyoshi in Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu Karatedo with over 50 years of dedicated martial arts and athletics experience. His martial journey is rooted in traditional Okinawan lineage, studying under late first instructor Kyoshi Arnold Mitchell, current instructor Kyoshi Ongatu-Ibrahima Kasama, and grandmaster Hanshi Frank Hargrove. He also holds a 1st Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate through the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) and is a USA Boxing Green Level certified coach.

Throughout his career, Kyoshi White has dedicated himself to teaching traditional martial mechanics— emphasizing rooted stances, explosive hip dynamics (koshi), and close-quarters application (bunkai). Beyond physical technique, his Okinawa Budo curriculum integrates character development, scripture-based moral principles, and spiritual discipline, guiding students to cultivate humility, self-control, and unwavering perseverance (fudoshin) both on and off the mat.