About Us

The Aikido Center of Atlanta is one of the oldest aikido dojos in the continental United States. Founded in 1967 by Sensei Rodney Grantham, we are a charter member of the United States Aikido Federation. We are very proud of our long affiliation with the USAF and it's East coast leaders, Chairman Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, Mitsunari Kanai Shihan and Seichi Sugano Shihan (all 8th Dan), all of whom were uchi-deshi (live in disciples) of Aikido founder, Morihei Ueshiba. Through these Shihan, we have established a long standing relationship with Aikido world headquarters (Hombu dojo) and the Ueshiba family. Our dojo was included in the late Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba's first tour of the U.S. in 1974 and his son, the current Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba visited and taught at our school in 1980. We are proud of the fact that the Aikido being taught at our dojo for over thirty years is a direct transmission of the art as taught by the founder's senior students.

OUR INSTRUCTORS

Aikido Center founder Rodney Grantham, began his martial arts training in Japan in 1950. He earned his first degree black belt in Judo there before returning to the U.S. where he rose the rank of 3rd Dan. During the early 1960’s he was first exposed to Aikido and began making trips to New York to study under Yamada Yoshimitsu. In 1967 he began offering Aikido classes at his “Black Belt School of Judo”. These classes were the foundation of what soon became the Aikido Center of Atlanta. After many years of practice, he became one of the first non-Japanese to be awarded the rank of 6th Dan. Grantham Sensei was a pioneer in introducing traditional Japanese martial arts to the Southeast. In 1989, after many years of teaching and shepherding the growth of Aikido throughout the region, Grantham Sensei retired to the mountains of North Carolina with his wife Janet. They still visit the Aikido Center and continue to inspire new generations of Aikidoka.



Since 1989, the Aikido Center has been under the direction of George Kennedy Sensei, 6th Dan, Shidoin and member of the Board of Directors of the United Stated Aikido Federation. After experimenting with various other martial arts in his youth, he began his Aikido training in 1972 at the Aikido Center of Atlanta. A professional artist, Kennedy Sensei is a printmaker specializing in etching. He has enjoyed a successful career as an art educator, serving for several years as Chairman of the Visual Communications Department of a widely respected Art College. In 1994, Kennedy resigned his position to pursue Aikido full time. With this goal in mind, he returned to school, earning a Masters Degree in Conflict Resolution in 1997. He currently teaches Conflict Management and related courses at Oglethorpe University and has been a guest lecturer in the Violence Studies program at Emory University. Kennedy sensei is also a P.O.S.T. certified police defensive tactics instructor and member of the Georgia Association of Defensive Tactics Instructors. He has taught hundreds of local, state and federal law enforcement officers Aikido control and restraint tactics. Kennedy's activities reflect his belief that Aikido is both an effective form of self defense and a path of peace and reconciliation.

Darrell Tangman Sensei, a senior software engineer, began his training in 1975. He was an early student of the late Akira Tohei Shihan. After moving to Atlanta in the 1980’s, he was invited to teach at the Aikido Center. Among his other contributions, Tangman Sensei organized our first children's class in 1990 and continues his involvement with this program today. Tangman sensei holds the rank of 6th Dan, Shidoin and now lives in Augusta Ga. Where he has his own dojo, the Augusta Aikido Club. Although he now lives in Augusta Ga. (over an hour away from Atlanta), he still travels to our dojo every Sunday to share his insight and experience with both our children and adult classes.

Edwin Stearns began his Aikido training at the Aikido Center in 1986. After achieving his first degree black belt, he was accepted by Yamada Yoshimitsu as an “uchi deshi” or live-in student at the New York Aikikai. During his two year stay, he was required to take five classes per day under Yamada Shihan and Sugano Shihan, both 8th Dan and former Uchi Deshi of Ueshiba Morihei O’Sensei. Needless to say, this rigorous period of intense training forged him into a powerful yet subtle Aikidoka. Stearns Sensei currently holds the rank of Yondon, Fukushidoin. He is a software engineer with a wife and two children. He teaches our 6:15 AM classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Born in Cleveland Ohio, Richard Nardi  moved to Atlanta in 1974. After studying another martial art for one year in Taiwan, Nardi began his Aikido training at the Aikido Center in 1984. He is a physician’s assistant in anesthesia at Grady Hospital, a husband and the father of two. Nardi Sensei currently holds the rank of Yondon, Fukushidoin. Known for his powerful technique and superb ukemi skills, Nardi Sensei teaches our Monday and Wednesday evening classes.

Shomu Banerjee, Ph.D, teaches our children’s classes under the supervision of Tangman Sensei. He began his Aikido training in 1993 and currently holds the rank of Shodan. He is an economist and college professor who earned his Doctorate in economics from the University of Minnesota. Having lived in India, Great Britain, Turkey and Madagascar during his youth, Dr. Banerjee is fluent in many languages. His two children participate in the children’s program.