Who We Are
The United Martial Arts Association is a Chicago-rooted martial arts association formed from the Baker brothers' institutional work in Shorei Goju-Ryu karate, community training, competition, and cross-style association building. U.M.A.A. stands as a continuity structure for members, instructors, schools, rank records, historical lineage, and leadership service.
Founding Purpose
Founded in 1976 by Grand Master Preston Baker and Grand Master Otis Baker, U.M.A.A. emerged from a practical need for unity, rank standards, lineage preservation, instructor credentialing, school recognition, tournament oversight, and continuity across martial arts systems. Its founding purpose was not merely administrative; it was cultural, educational, and institutional.
Baker's Dojo Connection
Baker's Dojo of Karate & Body Building was founded in 1974 by Preston, Otis, and Eddie Baker at 13th & Michigan in Chicago. The dojo became the institutional base from which the Baker brothers trained students, produced black belts, led tournaments, and helped define a major chapter of African-American martial arts history in Chicago and the Midwest.
Association Authority
U.M.A.A. represents an association framework for membership, rank recognition, school affiliation, instructor standing, tournament sanctioning, and permanent records. Its authority comes from the documented work of the founders, the Baker brothers' teaching legacy, and the association's historic role in organizing martial artists across schools and styles.
Lineage, Rank, and Credentialing
The association is rooted in Shorei Goju-Ryu lineage transmitted through Robert Trias, John Keehan / Count Dante, Grand Master James A. Jones Jr., and the Baker brothers. U.M.A.A. preserves rank records, black belt history, instructor credentials, certificates, and lineage documentation as part of a larger institutional memory.
Schools, Instructors, and Members
U.M.A.A. serves individual martial artists, black belts, lifetime members, instructors, school owners, dojos, and affiliated programs. Its structure recognizes that martial arts continuity depends on people, schools, records, ceremonies, training standards, and public service working together.
We Are One
We Are One expresses the association's central principle: unity without erasing lineage. U.M.A.A. honors different systems, ranks, schools, generations, and roles while holding the archive to a disciplined standard of continuity and respect.