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Lawrence Whitaker grew up at 29th and Oakford streets, where he learned slap boxing. However, his current talents as a martial arts instructor teaching street smarts could have benefited him as a youth, such as when a guy harassed him on a basketball court.
“I hit him first, but it wasn’t hard enough,” Whitaker said. “He hit me back and blacked my eye.”
While that incident didn’t trigger his future career, Whitaker now gives people strength by teaching them defensive skills and boosting their confidence.
During his six-year stint in the Army, during which he won multiple medals, Whitaker met a mixed-martial artist whom no one could hit. He wanted to obtain that skill, so he began learning from the fighter.
When he returned to Philly in 1986, he found a martial-arts course at Temple University. After learning under various instructors, Whitaker rented a space at Third and Bainbridge streets, where he founded the Urban Defense Center in ’96. It relocated to Dickinson Street and Passyunk Avenue two years later.
“We wanted to make sure everyone stood up on the ground and defended themselves,” the 53-year-old said.
In 1999, his sister was killed in what he believes was a domestic violence incident.
“It didn’t change,” the resident of the 900 block of South 16th Street said of his focus of teaching others to protect themselves. “It just became more serious.”
Whitaker, who has multiple black belts and various certifications, moved the business again to its current locale in Northern Liberties in 2001. He now teaches urban combat, women’s self-defense, urban karate for children and their parents, tai-fit cardio kickboxing and more. He also allows those interested to try a week’s worth of self-defense classes for free and donates his time to various nonprofits, such as schools, civic associations and senior-citizen organizations.
And his lessons don’t deal with only the physical component, but also the legal aspect, too.
“If a homeless guy is asking for money and he grabs your arm, you can’t break his neck,” Whitaker said.
When he first started, he didn’t receive much support from South Philly, as many deemed his teachings too violent, but now he receives many thanks from patrons and is being honored as a difference maker.
“It makes me feel everything is worth it. … I’ve been out here a long time,” he said. “I’m really dedicated to what I’m doing here.”
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
2013 Difference Makers
/ Bruce Baldwin / Anthony Benedetto Sr. / Lou Berman / Beth Coleman /
/ Diane DellaVella / Phyllis DiLemmo /
/ Roe and Jim Gallo / Tyrique Glasgow / Ali Hackett / Deborah Holmes /
/ Kat Kendon / Harry McKay / Jaime Pannone / Juanita Perkins-Qui /
/ Gaetano Piccirilli / Megan Rosenbach / Ted Scairato Sr /
/ Rich Sisman / Dan Stevenson / Paula Terreri / Lynn Oakes West / Lawrence Whitaker / Robert Wilbowe / Ilene Wilder /
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