Instructors

Karate has been a part of Monique's life for as long as she can remember. " My father, who really loved the sport, taught me," she explains. "He first introduced me when I was a toddler, but I officially started training when I was 10 years old." And she never stopped. At age 17, Monique started teaching and credits her martial arts background for her success. "I realize that the discipline I learned carried over to help me succeed in school, stay in shape and raise my confidence," she says.

Monique so cherished the positive influence that karate has had in her life that she wanted more women and girls to experience it. "Females are the minority in most karate schools, so my goal was to create a different experience, a comfortable and supportive place to train," she says. In 2007, Monique started WKD Karate4Girls, a female only martial arts school that empowers hundreds of girls each year through regular lessons, after school programs and summer camps.

Master Monique has 30 years of martial arts experience. She teaches karate, speaks pubicly and conducts self defense courses in the DMV area. Additionally, she hosts the Mid-Atlantic All Female Karate Open; tournaments supporting female competitors from martial arts schools along the east coast. Her mission is to empower women and girls to be a better version of themselves. She enjoys community outreach projects with her students including the following partnerships, Cancer Support Foundation, Hope Works Domestic Violence Center and Howard County Food Bank.