Rondel Benjamin

Martial artist, educator, public intellectual, community advocate and boisman, Rondel Benjamin’s major contribution has been his pioneering work in the revitalization of the Afro-Caribbean traditions that collectively fall under the title” Kalinda suite of martial arts”. This advocacy resulted in the formation of the Bois Academy of Trinidad & Tobago, an organization that is elemental in the invigoration of the Afro-Caribbean martial traditions, namely Kalinda by actively working to create opportunities for people to experience the restorative power that lies at the core of these martial forms. Rondel has spent a lifetime dedicated to the exploration of multiple martial forms including Gracie Jiu jitsu , Sambo , Kali ,Muay thai ,Kung Fu ,Karate, and Boxing. As a renowned regional and international subject matter expert in martial combatives, he has led the growing adoption of cutting edge systems like SPEAR, Defence Lab, Piper Knife & Systema. Rondel has a unique view of the value and place that regional martial arts have in the development of its human capital and seeks to answer the question generated by the “Bois man’s prayer”, what would it be like if we all could find our internal beauty; even in the face of the impossible?