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Professor Julian J. Vera
Julian Jay Vera was born December 3, 1952, in East Chicago, Indiana were he lived with his Mother Amelia;
father Valentine; brothers Salvador, Adam, Joel, Manuel and sister Rosie. At the age of thirteen, his father Valentine Valdez,
a Golden Glove boxer, trained him in boxing, He was on the East Chicago Boys Club boxing team and also trained in Goju Shorei
Kartate under Louie Torres.
In September 1972, Julian Vera was drafted and enlisted in the Air Force where he was
stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base, Austin, Texas. During the time, he trained in Kajukenbo under Grand Master Daniel G.
Baker, And received his Black Belt in 1974.
In March 1975, Julian Vera was transferred to Barksdale Air Force Base,
Bossier City, Louisiana.
In September 1976, he was honorably discharged from the Air Force, but continued to reside
in the Shreveport/Bossier City area.
In January 1977, Julian Vera opened a school in Shreveport and began teaching
Kajukenbo.
He commuted to and from Austin to complete training in Filipino stick and knife fighting under Ricky Rillera,
receiving Guro status in 1982.
In 1984, he received his Aiki Jujitsu black belt and completed Iaido Ancient Samurai
under Harold Laranang.
In 1989, Julian Vera started a second school in Aiki Jujitsu in the Shreveport/Bossier City
area.
Julian Vera trained in Kung fu under Pete Solis, receiving his Black Belt in 1993. During this time, he also
trained in Iaido Samurai under Ted Tabuda.
Julian Vera is currently training in Kung Fu under Ron Pierce.
His
dedication to the teachings of personal self-defense was influential in the development of a women's self-defense course for
the Shreveport/Bossier City YWCA.
Julian Vera is currently an 8th Degree Black Belt and remains active as an instructor
and has a continuing interest in the community, hosting National Black Belt League tournaments and teaching local law enforcement.
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