Robert Dickerson, a 9th Degree Grand Master Black Belt, has been training and studying the Martial Arts (Karate) since 1968.  Mr. Dickerson a recognized professor of the Martial Arts, author and a teacher who specialize in programs that develops self-discipline, moral character, cultural awareness and cultural pride.  Since 1968, at a young age of 14, he has been a youth leader in church and a member of African-American organizations dedicated to helping and uplifting the condition of communities, especially young people in the inner cities of the United States of America. He has been studying and became a historian, writer and researcher of the African-American experience in America since 1968.  With five years of electronic education, he also developed a career as an electronic technician/engineer since 1972.

Mr. Dickerson grew up in Darby and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started Martial Arts training in 1968.   He is most accredited for studying the Martial Arts of Kyokushinkai (Japanese Art) in 1971, when he met Mr. Alfred Dennis, a.k.a. Grandmaster Ameer, a great Judo, Aikido, and a Kyokushinkai Karate Master in North Philadelphia.  He diligently trained under Grandmaster Ameer, earning his 1st degree black belt on August 25, 1974.  He assisted Grandmaster Ameer in teaching at many inner-city housing projects throughout Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 1974 to 1985.

Mr. Dickerson, a highly skilled BOXER out of the 23rd & Columbia (Cecil B. Moore) Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PAL Boxing Gym in the early 1970's, was trained by two elder boxing coaches whom Mr. Dickerson knew as Mr. Pete and Mr. Jappie and of course his main Boxing teacher, the legendary Gordon Dickerson, better known as Brother FLASH.   He trained everyday at the Boxing Gym in North Philadelphia and then would go straight to Grandmaster Ameer's Karate School, also in North Philadelphia to train in Karate.  One of his greatest moments in his boxing career was when he won the Joe Frazier Silver Gloves in the middle weight division at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia, Pa. on March 27, 1975, which he received awards and press articles in the Philadelphia Daily News and other newspapers.

In September of 1975 he married Wanda Johnson of North Philadelphia and moved to Camden, New Jersey.   Out of this union they were bless to have four children, Jamal, Nasir, Atiya and Ayanna, fifteen Grandchildren and two Great Grandchildren.    In 1983 Mr. Dickerson founded a non-profit organization called the Unity Community Center of South Jersey Inc., at 1544 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, Camden, New Jersey.  The Unity Community Center is the parent organization to all of its performing arts programs. In 1984, he began teaching Community Development Programs, African-American History, Dance, Drum and the Martial Arts (Karate), Boxing and Kick-Boxing to the residents of Camden, New Jersey, South Jersey and Philadelphia, Pa., through his karate school known as  the Universal Pasha Karate (UPK) School  and the Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble.

Manager of the Legendary David Beasley's- THE EBONYS

He was asked by David Beasley, the Original, Creator and Founder of the Legendary R&B group called the EBONYS, to manage David Beasley's EBONYS representing the historical contribution of the Ebonys in music and the arts. The EBONYS; the first historical legendary group on the Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s Philadelphia International Records (PHILLY SOUNDS) in 1971.  They scored their first hit with "You're the Reason Why," a number ten R&B single in 1971. Their greatest song, "It's Forever," appeared in 1973.   These were two of the greatest R&B Love songs in American history written and produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff of Philadelphia International Records.  They speak to the heart, mind and soul of many in relationships and marriages.  You could hear these songs all over the world during many events and marriage ceremonies since 1971. Mr. Dickerson a Performing and Cultural Arts Historian and advocate while in the process of building a museum; the EBONYS deserve a place in history for their 50 plus years of R&B musical excellence. 

Mr. Dickerson received international recognition in three major Karate magazines for his team, winning the Youth Karate Team Championship and producing the #1 Junior Karate Kumite Team in the USA at an A-rated Karate Tournament in Flushing, New York, on September 27, 1992. Mr. Dickerson has developed over 34 local, regional, and national Karate & Kick-Boxing Champions. Mr. Dickerson also developed 19 world sanctioned Karate Champions in different ages and ranking categories.  He created and developed the World Champion UPK Pasha Generals, one of the Best Military-Style Close Order Drill Teams  and one of the most dynamic presentations for drug and crime prevention in this country, dedicated to spreading the mighty message of love and discipline to the young people in the inner cities of this country. In 1993 and 1994 they gained international recognition for winning and receiving the honor of having the best disciplined drill team at two world recognized drill-a-rama championships in Baltimore, Maryland and Chicago, Illinois. The World Champion UPK Pasha Generals have been seen by millions on local, cable, and national television talk shows.

Mr. Dickerson's love of culture, discipline development and the performing arts along with his wife Wanda started and developed the Sensational & Electrifying - Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble in 1984.  The Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble was blessed and sanctioned to be one of the best and the most exciting professional African & Dance Drum Ensembles in the United States of America in August of 2000 by scholars, historians and African historians.   Mr. Robert Dickerson is the founder and CEO of these magnificent groups in the Unity Community Center.

For his accomplishments he has been inducted into five prestigious MARTIAL ARTS HALL OF FAMES.  His first induction happen at the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, held in Jacksonville, Florida on May 7, 1994.   He has received many awards from politicians, educators, community, business, and religious leaders. He also participates on many radio stations, discussing the principles of  love and discipline and the development of self-discipline using the dynamics of the Martial Arts (Karate) and the BEAUTY OF CULTURE AND THE PERFORMING ARTS.

DICKERSON FAMILY

His wife Wanda, is a license hair Cosmetology stylists in the state of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  She is currently owner/operator of Jana's Unique Hair Salon in Lindenwold, New Jersey.      Their oldest son Jamal,  in 1995 graduated from Camden High School.  Jamal attended Morgan State University and graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University 2010.   Jamal is married to his lovely wife RONSHA with their six wonderful children, Jamal II, Karima, Sekou-Moussa, Tenenfig, Fatima and Akeelah.   Jamal is currently the Director of Bands and an Instrumental Music School Teacher for Camden Creative Arts Public High Schools.

Their son Nasir is also a graduate of Camden High School and was honored with a full paid scholarship for high academic and musicianship achievement to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pa, for music education.  In 2006 Nasir, graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance and in May 2007 he earned and received his  Master's Degree in MUSIC EDUCATION with three beautiful daughters Nuri, Jalia and Aisha and his lovely fiancee SAHREEDA BALLARD.

Their oldest daughter, Atiya is a graduate of Camden County Vocational School with high academic achievements.  Atiya majored in Cosmetology and is the manger operator and owner now of the family business, founded and owned by mother Wanda A. Dickerson- Jana's Unique Hair Salon & https://janasacademy.com in Lindenwold, New Jersey.   Atiya is married to DWAYNE JOHNSON and were blessed with two lovely daughters Dayanna, Anisah and one son Dwayne (DJ).

Ayanna graduated at Camden Creative Art High School, Camden, New Jersey majoring in music and graduated from Rutgers University earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management 2010 and a Master of Arts Degree / Counseling in Educational Settings from Rowan University.  Ayanna also has a lovely son named Jaleel.  Ayanna is married to an educational scholar and administrator ANDREW BELL with wonderful son, Andrew Bell Jr., and daughter Zoe Bell.

Also the Dickerson's, blessed with two great grandchildren- TWINS- Alani and Alira-parents our grandson Jamal II and Nejma Maddox.

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