Master Harvey L. Kennedy, 8th Dan began studying Isshinryu karate under Sensei L. William Pogue in October 1967, while a student at Louisiana Tech University.  He was an instructor for the Louisiana Tech Isshinryu Karate Club from 1969-1971.  Upon graduation from Louisiana Tech University in 1971, Master Kennedy moved back to the Shreveport/Bossier City area and opened a professional karate studio, "Dixie National Karate Studio", in Bossier City, LA. In the mid-80's, he

opened "Holistic Fitness", which was a traditional karate studio

and also offered massage therapy, on Texas Avenue in Shreveport.  In January of 1992, the dojo was moved to its current location on Youree Drive, and is now called "Kennedy's Karate USA".  During the 1970's, Master Kennedy won numerous trophies in tournament competitions all over the USA with national champions such as Bill Wallace, Joe Lewis, and Demetrius "The Greek" Havanas.  In the 80's and 90's, emphasis shifted to seminars with world-known martial artists such as Robert Trias, Jeff Smith and the Gracie Brothers.  In 1991, as a member of a 3-man Louisiana team, Master Kennedy and his teammates  won first place in the USKA World Championship Tournament in New Orleans, LA, competing in the Senior (over 30) division, beating the team from Argentina in the final round. Master Kennedy has served on the Board of Directors for the Isshinryu Karate-Do Association for the past 15 years.  He also has been inducted into the Museum of Champions in Shreveport, along with Terry Bradshaw and other outstanding athletes from the Shreveport / Bossier City area.

Sensei Michael Myers, 2nd Dan, 
assists Master Kennedy in teaching  classes and private lessons.  Sensei Myers started martial arts training in 1992 with Sensei Kennedy when the dojo on Youree Drive first opened.  In 1993 he started assisting with instruction of classes, and he started competing in tournaments across the region.  In 1995 he was ranked fourth in the nation in Senior Kumite and ninth in the nation in Colored Belt Men Kata.  He took third place in Senior Advanced Kata at the 1995 USKA World Championships. In 1996 he was ranked fourth in the nation in Brown Belt Men Kumite and sixth in the nation in Brown Belt Men Kata.  In 1996 he was ranked second in Louisiana in Brown Belt Kumite and third in Louisiana in Brown Belt Kata, and won fourth place in Black Belt Senior Heavy Weight at the 1996 USKA World Championships. 

In 1997 he was ranked third in Black Belt Middle Weight Kumite in the state of Louisiana.  He received his Ni Dan in November of 2002 and has instructed both children and adult classes at Kennedy's Karate USA.  He is in charge of both the Competition Team and Demonstration Team.

Sensei Trey Luce, 3rd Dan, began his study of karate in 1990 and began assisting in 1992.  In 1998, he took 2nd place in kata in the USKA Worlds Championship in New Orleans, and 3rd in grappling at the USKA Nationals in California.

Crystal Whitman, Sho Dan (1st Degree Black Belt.) In November, 2001, Crystal tested for, and was awarded, her 1st Degree Black Belt.

Chase Herrera, Ni Dan (Second Degree Black Belt).  Chase received his Second Degree Black Belt in November, 2003.  Chase is a student at Northwestern University.