Earnest Hart, Jr. - Professional Profile

Background

Earnest grew up in St. Louis housing projects; he lived with guns in his family’s house and at an early age learned to dive into a cast iron bathtub for protection when shooting started on the street. He was bullied by gangs until he mastered karate, boxing, judo and jujitsu and became a kickboxing champion who toured the world, appeared in Hollywood movies and consulted for famous actors and athletes.

His devotion to self-discipline and self-control, learned through years of practicing martial arts, helped him escape the dangerous streets of his childhood. Today, he leads mentoring and training sessions at schools and civic organizations where he shares non-violent methods to help at-risk kids develop self-confidence, self-respect and respect for others, enhance their personal safety, and avoid crime and drugs.

Quote: “Whether in the ghetto or the suburbs, kids who develop self-respect and self-confidence learn to respect others and build confidence in their own abilities; the benefit – they improve in school and in life.”

“One of my approaches is to teach self-reliance, help kids build self-respect and avoid bullying, violence and abusive threats,” says Hart, who earned a black belt in 15 different martial arts.

“An important part of my program is to teach kids how to be safe, be aware, take responsibility for their personal safety and avoid dangerous situations when they feel vulnerable or threatened.”

Mentoring Sessions & Seminars 2016

Innovative Concept Academy at Blewett Middle School – City St. Louis

Logos School – St. Louis County

Premier Charter School - City of St. Louis

Whitfield School – St. Louis County

YMCA of Greater St. Louis Urban Core COVAM Program – City of St. Louis

And more

Noteworthy

Earnest won four World Champion Kickboxing titles from the Professional Karate Association (PKA).

Invited by the Emperor of Japan to teach the Imperial Guard his brand of self-defense tactics.

Worked with actors George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Willem Dafoe as a consultant and trainer. And worked with Ozzie Smith, martial arts champion Chuck Norris and other athletes.

Served as official martial arts trainer for 1999-2000 St. Louis Rams team that won the Super Bowl.

Engaged by civic groups, businesses and families for personal safety training and mentoring.

Hollywood Movie Credits

Batman & Robin, Mortal Kombat, To Live and Die in L.A., Virtual Combat, Death Kick, Karate Kid III.

Plaudits

“Earnest is totally dedicated to helping at-risk kids overcome personal challenges. He is one of the best-kept secrets in this area.” - Elbert Harris, director of youth, teens and family activities for the YMCA of Greater St. Louis.

“Earnest helps kids build self-confidence. We see a decrease in some of the negative behaviors we saw in the kids before Earnest got involved.” - Kathy Boyd Fenger, Ph.D., head of school, Logos School.

“Earnest has an informative, interactive style of presentation that engaged our kids and got the message across. He is a model of good character development.” - Julie Leftridge, teacher-leader, Premier Charter School, St. Louis.

Personal

Married, age 50. Two grown children. Lives in St. Louis County. Phone 636 537 0078. Email ehartjr@earthlink.net. Alternate contact: B.W. Durham 314 703 9090. mrdurhambill@icloud.com.

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