Hanshi John “Lil John” Smith Jr., has been studying the Martial Arts for over fifty plus years, beginning in 1969 training in Japanese Shorei Goju Ryu, Chinese Kempo and Korean Tang Soo Do Karate Systems, under the teachings of family members Grand Master Lloyd Johnson through Bakers Dojo (Louisville, Kentucky/Chicago, Illinois), where in 1971, while on military leave, he received his Shodan- 1st Dan Yudasha “black belt” of many promotions to follow in the above styles, while competing in tournaments and training. In the 1970’s during his military duties in the United States Marines, he studied Shotokan Karate under the teachings of Sensei David Swan, Shotakan Dojo in Oceanside California. In 1974 after being Honorable Discharge from the Marines, he became delegent competetor in the legendary Mid-West All Stars “Louisville vs Chicago”

Hanshi Lil John continued his training, and studies with Grand Master Lloyd Johnson, Grand Master Dr. Henry Cook in Wing Chun (aka Wing Tsun) at the Seven Winds Flying Fist System (Louisville Kentucky), and Sensei Tony Lee, Muay Thai - Kick Boxing System (Chicago Philippians Community Center), and as one of the senior floor instructors and dedicated student, over twenty plus years at Baker’s Dojo under the leadership of family members Grand Masters Preston, Otis and Master Eddie Baker. During the late 1970’s into the 80’s, Hanshi Lil John along with Sensei Lorenzo Jones (Deceased) proud student of Grand Master Shorty Mills (Pagoda Dojo), ran the African Martial Arts Program at Kennedy-King College.

In 2012 Hanshi Lil John was promoted to Kyoshi-8th Dan by Grand Master Lloyd Johnson, who is the USA Director of the International Okinawa Goju-Ryu Karate-Do/Jiu Jitsu Federation. In 2016 Hanshi Lil John was promoted to 9th degree black belt, by Grand Masters Preston and Otis Baker and Lloyd Johnson, and by U.S.H.O.F.M.A.A.I., and while still finding time to participate in many national tournaments, seminars, other martial arts activities throughout the United States, and maintaining a professional law enforcement career. During 2016, Hanshi Lil John was inducted into the Illinois Black Belt Hall of Fame and twice by the Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors and receiving other awards and honors for his dedication to the Martial Arts and Law Enforcement (2006 LE Hall of Fame) and in 2020 promoted Juu Dan, 10th Degree by GM Preston Baker and GM Cynthia Thompson.

Member:
US Head of Family MAA and International Supreme Elite Warriors Council
United Martial Arts Association (UMAA)
United States All Styles Karate Instructors Association (USA-KIA)
Midwest United Martial Arts Association (MUMAA)
Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Do Association Ren Ryu-Shibu Dojo
World Black Belt Bureau (WBBB)
Seven Winds Flying Fist System Wing Chun /Kali (Louisville, KY)
White’s Pagoda National Hapkido Kendo Federation (Chicago)
Modern Lightning Kali Arnis FMA (Philippines)
Black Karate Federation (BKF-California)
Modern Warrior Arts Union (MWAU)

The wise man continues to fill his thirst toward consuming knowledge, with an open mind to advance his wisdom, life being and purposes, including strong morals, values and integrity.