American Independent TaeKwonDo was founded
in 1988 by Steve R. Brown. (pictured on the left)
Mr. Brown operated under the principle that the knowledge and character of martial arts, and the love of Jesus Christ ought to be accessible to everyone. Mr. Brown opened classes up without fees to the general public and taught faithfully for 30 years.
Mr. Brown studied under the instruction of Keith Yates and the Nam Seo Kwon teachings. As a student in the direct lineage of Master Jhoon Rhee, Mr. Brown has stayed faithful to the traditional styles of the General Hong patterns and has not bowed to popular changes or flashy and showy patterns.
Mr. Brown operated out of church gymnasiums, wood shop factory floors, boys and girls clubs, and even back yards in order to keep from charging for class.
Mr. Brown bought mats and set up hundreds of classes by himself on his own time. He worked full time, worked weekends and evenings, and paid for everything out of pocket.
Still finding time for the arts he selflessly touched the lives of hundreds around him. Mr. Brown would buy unifoms and gear for people that didn’t have the funds to start on their own and poured himself out everyone he met.
The whole Brown family practiced together and advance through the ranks. Pictured here is Mr. Steve Brown, his wife Hope Brown, and their son
Jesse Brown.
In 2000 Mr. Brown’s life partner was diagnosed with breast cancer. Being a warrior he continued to teach and be there for her. Mrs. Brown was versed in the arts and as a black belt fought the hardest battle of her life and won. She was fully recovered in the year 2001 and AIT adopted PINK as a recognized uniform color for survivors.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown are both veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
In 2015 Mr. Aaron Burks and his wife Mrs. Jenna Burks started AIT classes with their 4 year old daughter and newborn son. Captivated by Mr. Brown’s love for the arts and dedication to their instruction he took them from white to black belt completely in the traditions and styles of AIT and its history. Mr. Brown retired in 2019 as an 8th degree master and is the embodiment of what martial arts is designed to be.
He has passed AIT and it’s traditions on to Mr. and Mrs. Burks who teach classes for free to any who are willing to pursue growth. Mr. Brown actively teaches Mr. and Mrs. Burks and still shows up to class from time to time. When he does, look for him to be spending time with the newest and neediest person in the room, because there is no where he would rather be.
American Independent TaeKwonDo will continue without class fees and will require growth and dedication as the only payment by the grace of the almighty God, Jesus Christ.
“For God so loved the world, He gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
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