How do you tell a brief Biography in a few words? You don't, but here's a good attempt.

Around six years of age, I recall the biggest and most dreadful picture of a dragon.
This picture was painted on the wall of the late Master Harold Long dojo above the
Trail-way bus station off of Gay Street in Knoxville, Tennessee. I spent several
minutes looking and wondering why or what made the dragon so life like, when I had
never seen a real one. It wasn't long before I started putting the puzzle pieces
together. It wasn't the physical attributes that made the dragon real, but the dragon
that breathed inside the hearts of the legends, masters and senseis. I watched the
dragons fire burn through the sweating and continual practicing and desire for
perfection that came from their hearts, not knowing the little dragon that laid
dormant in my own body. Soon the stage was set while my eyes watched and my ears
listened, but my mind couldn't comprehend. I saw Sensei Lee, Sensei Wilson, Sensei
Faulkner, Sensei Brabson and Linda Wilson practicing over and over at the dojo or
wherever they could get together preparing for the walk of the martial arts, and still
I couldn't comprehend. They still continued showing me as I watched the
demonstrations and performances of graceful and fluent moves being put together
forming a story of gracefulness and survival in oneself. The more I was exposed, I
could slowly feel the dragon growing inside of me. It wasn't long, until I approached
my father (Master Melbert L. Lee, Sr.), about the desire to take lessons and
immediately, the lesson began.

The first thing he told me was I'm your father at home and at the dojo I'm your
sensei. I thought that's easy to fulfill but to my surprise reality had not kicked in.
Second came the work out and discipline, needless to say it was hard work. Work
that was not comprehensive to me. I spent time after time crying at the dojo on
Wilson Avenue (YMCA), until I was fed up with tears and did the most natural thing
most kids would do. Quit! It didn't take me long to get over the hurt feelings, so I
would go back again and again repeatedly quitting on several occasions. I did this
until 1 was nine years old. The beginning of my walk in the martial arts had begun
like the dragon who's eggs have finally hatched. What I mean is no more tears, I was
willing to work and endure the pressure. These combinations along with discipline,

Humility, Faith and Love shaped and formed the dragon that is evolving in me even
today. Isshinryu is my foundational art, but I have cross trained in Sanuces Ryu and
Vee-Jitsu. The only time away from my training was during my athletic career
playing Football, Basketball, Track and weight lifting. After high school I continued
onto College at Middle Tennessee State University, where I pursued a football
scholarship. After returning to Knoxville, I began playing minor League football
with the Knoxville Crusaders. My efforts were pretty successful until my shoulder
injury. I respected and appreciated the high standard of training I received from the
Karate five school. After receiving my Black Belt, I realized what I thought I knew
was just the beginning of knowledge that was ahead. Upon my promotion to Ni Dan I
was named to be an official instructor. My competing in different tournaments has
been rewarding. In 2002,1 won first place in the men's heavy weight division and
crowned the Isshinryu Hall Of Fame Kumite Grand Champion. My training in
Isshinryu Karate continues today under Grand Master Maurice Msarsa, Master
Willie Wilson, Master Melbert Lee, Sr., Master William Mason, Sensei Daryl Cox
and Sensei Jon Whitehead, as the dojo Senseis and mentors. I'm currently cross
training under Grandmaster Jeff Delaney and Professor Lisa McManus in Modern
Amis, which became a part of the Karate five curriculum in 2002. I am grateful for
all who have contributed and helped me take my training to a higher level. My goal
is to continue my growth in all areas of karate and life. "We must all remember, we
can do all things through Christ that strengthen us".