Pilsum Taekwondo Center

01/19/2026

Happy MLK Day. Make this a day of services. As you go along your day be mindful of what you can do for others. Honor Dr. Martin Luther King legacy.

01/03/2026

Day 7 the last day of Kwanzaa. The principle of the day was Imani, which means faith. Faith is what you have when you’re trying to achieve a goal and you don’t necessarily see away but it’s faith that you have that keeps you going. It’s the bedrock from which all the other principles come from. Ryan Davis was the commentator for the evening. One of the guest was Elenor Wesley who created a space for people to come and purchase vegan and healthy foods. Books were collected for the seven day of Kwanzaa. It is customary to give a gift of books for Kwanzaa and the recipients of the books went to Sankofa Learning Academy. A van full of books was raised for this school. As the last day of Kwanzaa came to a close an extended libation ceremony took place. We look forward to applying the principles of Kwanzaa throughout this year.

01/01/2026

The sixth day of Kwanzaa was hosted by The Magic Soul. They are all things Afrocentric. They have a clothing store and anything that your Afro soul will need. Yesterday principle was Kuumba, which means creativity. An obligation to always to do as much as you can when you can and leave it better than you found it.Our yesterday event was directed by Dawn Jeffries Co-founders of The Freedom Fund. Creativity was flowing in the room yesterday. We had a teacher Ms. Stewart from Lacey Academy who has several books grace us with one of her poems. Lani Harshaw is a teacher at Horace Mann and a professor at Philander Smith College. She painted while the meeting was being held and when the meeting was at the end she had completed a portrait. When you look at the video you get the perspective of a child ( Octavia Rainey) of what this painting means. Then Ms. Harshaw tells us what the painting of the hands with different color nails truly represents. The last Kwanzaa event is January 1st at 1523 Martin Luther King Dr. at 2:00.

01/01/2026

Pilsum Taekwondo wishes everyone a Happy Healthy and Prosperous New Year’s.🎊🎉🎆

12/31/2025

Day 5 of Kwanzaa was held at Brandon’s House. The principle of the day was Nia which means purpose. What is your purpose? How can your purpose or gift work in your community to make it a whole. The speaker of the day was Mrs. Hazel Adam’s Shango she is the grand daughter of the great Scipio A. Jones. She enlightened us with the history of her grandfather’s trial and tribulations of being a black lawyer (and a plethora of other things) and all his obstacles. She remind us that Mr. Scipio A. Jones knew what his purpose was and how it would make his community whole. His works laid the foundation for his community. Next was cultural expressions. Dr. Patrice Bax associate director & creative services of Brandon House cultural and performing arts ( soon to be renamed Arts Absolutely) did an awesome poem. Next was Colin Franklin former student of Brandon House serenaded us with a couple of selections on his saxophone later he was joined by fellow classmate Edwin Sharp from his high school in Maumelle. The vocals of Randy B. Let us know that a change is gonna to come. Ryan Davis conducted the lighting ceremony, which is always done by the children. As the program ended Hazel Adams Shanga led us with in celebration with Harambe which means let’s pull together!

12/30/2025

Yesterday was 4, Ujamaa cooperative economics. Commitment to The practice of share social wealth and the work necessary to achieve it. Today was all about the youth entrepreneur and how we as a community can support them and help them succeed in business and life. The guess speaker was Scott Hamilton of the event space Called 801. He spoke on his mentor and what it took for him to get to where he is in life. Paisley Cruthfield was a young lady who spoke about her trials and tribulations of a young mother trying to make it. She spoke on being a mother, trying to work, go to culinary school and the sacrifices it took. Her perseverance led her into becoming a certified chef. Let’s keep supporting each other.

12/29/2025

12/28/2025

Day two of Kwanzaa. Today principal was Kujichagulia self- determination. Our speakers Darryl Swinton of Better Community Development and Dr. Derrick Noble from Hoover methodist Church gave exceptional speeches on self-determination, determining who you are , Where you going for yourself. Anna Hearns and Jionni Olamide are great commentators for the Kwanzaa event. A quote from Dr. Noble was the audacity to reject the lCaucasity to write your own story. Think about it!

12/27/2025

Happy Kwanzaa. We had a good time at the first day of Kwanzaa celebration. It was held at Pyramid Arts, Books and Custom framing. There were some awesome speakers. We learned a-lot about what Kwanzaa is about. One of the speakers was Pastor Wendell Griffins of New Millennial Church who spoke on the 3D’s. Define,Develop and Defend. Mrs. Valerisse Bell-Ovwiomoriemu graced us with that awesome song and beautiful voice. There are 6 more celebrations. Look at the calendar I have attached and please come to at least one if not all planned activities.

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from the Pilsum family.

12/21/2025

Last belting ceremony of the year. Congratulations students. You can start the new year with a new rank. With higher rank comes higher responsibilities.🥋🥇🎉💯🙏🏾.

12/17/2025

Pilsum Taekwondo would like to congratulate Tyler Brown who trains with Florence Love 4th degree at Flo Taekwondo Studio in Pine Bluff. Tyler you are on your way to 3rd degree. Awesome job!!! 🥋💯🎉🎊🥇