Ernest G. McPeek, J.D., was born on November 19, 1947 in Buffalo, New York. His parents were both alcoholics and were divorced when he was seven years old. He was raised in the slums of New York City, in and out of orphanages and foster homes, where street fighting was for survival. Finally at the age of 13 he went to live in Buffalo with his father. His father was unable to keep a job and in the next 5 years he attended seven different high schools graduating from Campbell High School in Smyrna, Georgia in 1966.

Wanting to go to college, but not being able to afford it, he joined the army in 1966 to qualify for the GI Bill. Finishing his Basic Training and Graduating from Military Intelligence School at Fort Holabird Maryland, he was sent to Vietnam where he was assigned to MACV and the Third ARVN Infantry Division stationed in the City of Hue Republic of South Vietnam.

As an advisor he excelled and during the TET offensive in 1968 was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and the Army Commendation Medal. During his tour in Vietnam as an advisor, he was working with ROK Advisors and studied Tae Kwon Do with the members of the ROK unit.

In 1968 when he returned to the US, he was stationed in Oakland California and began training in Kenpo Jiujitsu under the guidance of SSG Eugene Tate who promoted him to Shodan in 1971. At this time he was Honorably discharged Sargent E5, married, had a son, and began attending the State University of New York at Buffalo. During this time he worked out at the UB Karate Club, but concentrated on his family and studies and later graduated with a BA in Communications in 1973.

He began his graduate work in 1974, but in 1975 transferred with National Gypsum to Charlotte, North Carolina. He began teaching at a Tracy Kenpo School there but was transferred back to Buffalo to the Corporate headquarters in 1976.

In 1976 he opened the Hamburg Karate Club and began teaching Kenpo Jiujitsu/Karate. At the same time he was teaching in the Frontier Central High School’s continuing education program. In 1980 he was promoted to Nidan by Al Tracy and that year began training in Judo at the Manson Judo Club in Buffalo, and joined the United States Judo Federation. Even though he was 33 years old he competed in Judo tournaments in Toronto and in the Buffalo area, sometimes placing first, sometimes last, but using a lot of liniment and loving every minute of it.

In 1984 the Judo Club closed and having received his Shodan he did not join another club but incorporated Judo into his Jiujitsu Curriculum at the Hamburg Karate Club. His schools have competed in many Judo tournaments over the years mainly ones sponsored by Kin Tora Judo Club the last full time Judo School in Buffalo. Mr McPeek is currently a Rokudan 6th Degree Black Belt.

In subsequent years he was promoted by Al Tracy, Kenpo Karate/Jiujitsu 1982(Sandan) 1985 (Yodan) 1989 (Godan) 1993 (Rokudan) 1997 (Shichidan) 1999 (Hachichidan) Kenpo Karate and 1999 (Kudan) Kenpo Jiujitsu Goshin Jitsu.

In 1989 he opened International Schools of Self Defense, Inc. as a full time Martial Arts School where both of his stepsons are full time instructors. He also began attending the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1993.

In 1990, Ernest McPeek began studying Isshin Ryu Karate under Grandmaster Angi Uezu black belt instructor Jim Cvetkovski. He received his Shodan in Isshin Ryu in 1994, Nidan in 1995, Sandan in 1996 and Yodan in 1998. He is a member of the Okinawa Isshinryu Karate-do Association, and has a Teaching Certificate.

International Schools, now USA Self-Defense Centers, is a certified Tracy’s Kenpo Karate School, registered school with the Okinawa Isshinryu Karate-do Association, United States Martial Arts Federation, United States Ju-Jitsu Federation. Their charter authorizes them to issue Black Belts in Kenpo Karate, Kenpo Jiu Jitsu Goshin Jitsu, Isshin Ryu Karate (diplomas issued in Japan), and in Judo.

Ernest McPeek has sponsored several seminars bringing in Grandmaster Wally Jay, Grandmaster Remy Presas, Shihan Bruce Bethers, President of USJJF, Grand Master Al Tracy and many other well known Martial Artists to enable his students to appreciate all other styles of the Martial Arts. At age 57, Mr McPeek teaches 6 days a week including cardio kickboxing.

Their mission is to have an incredible high energy Martial Arts program that has a positive influence on everyone who joins their school. The program is designed to provide all kids of every economic background an opportunity to join. If a student has an economic hurdle but has the desire to join our school the school will provide a scholarship or even waive tuition. USA Self-Defense Centers has a relationship with Wyndom Lawn School a foster home institution whereby their residents can take the martial arts free and and even provided a uniform at no additional cost. Having come from a poverty background and Dr McPeek wants to be instrumental in making kids a success. The Martial Arts develops children into leaders with strong moral qualities by giving them values, teaching them to set and reach goals, and encouraging them that they can be anything they want to be if they work hard at it.

Ernest McPeek holds the following martial art ranks:

9th Degree, Kenpo Jiu Jitsu
8th Degree, US Ju-Jitsu
8th Degree, Kenpo Karate
6th Degree, Judo
4th Degree, Isshin Ryu Karate

Ernest McPeek may be contacted at:

Ernest G. McPeek, J.D.
6007 Brockton Drive
Lockport, NY 14094
Office: (716) 439-1198