50 years of empowering students throughout the District of Columbia
Promoting courtesy, integrity, self-control, perseverance, and indomitable spirit through martial arts, and encouraging students to embody these qualities.
DC Black Dragon Martial Arts
Originally founded under the name DC Gentle East Martial Arts, the program was established by Master Gloria DuBissette in 1975. Gloria DuBissette founded DC Gentle East Martial Arts (DCGEMA) as an inner-city community youth program to offer low-income youth in the DMV area the opportunity to learn martial arts. Over the past 50 years, the program has gone by several names, including DC Gentle East, Black Dragon Martial Arts, and DC Taekwondo Association. It is currently known as DC Black Dragon Martial Arts.
Utilizing the core tenets of martial arts: courtesy, integrity, self-control, perseverance, and indomitable spirit to influence and encourage these qualities in her students. Over the last few years, Gloria has partnered with many community centers, organizations, and programs such as the Columbia Heights Youth Club, Latin American Youth Center, YWCA, YMCA, DC Department of Recreation, DC Public Library, DC Public Schools, and DC Public Charter Schools to reach more youth.
Master DuBissette led the first organized DC Jr. Olympic Taekwondo team to compete at the National Jr. Olympics from 2000 to 2006. Under non-profit status, the program was awarded multiple grants to annually sponsor the DC team and was recognized by the Local DC government.
Community Service & Outreach
Since its founding, DC Black Dragon Martial Arts has sought to serve the community by offering martial arts instruction and being actively involved in our community through community service. We view community service as another way to encourage leadership, generosity, kindness, and awareness.
Our students have participated in neighborhood clean-ups, performed demonstrations for local neighborhood events, and we have held events to raise money for charities. Our program has partnered with Youth Crime Watch of America, 4-H, the national sports association “Go Girl Go!” program, women and family shelters, etc., over the past 50 years.