The January 1976 cover featured acclaimed point fighter turned kickboxer and proud BKF member Lenny Ferguson—now known as Abdul Latif Muhammad. He made history as the first African American to win the Grand Championship at the Long Beach Internationals and was a member of the Los Angeles Stars in the NKL league. Still active today, Muhammad is regarded as one of the true pioneers of Southern California martial arts.

In the span of the last seven decades, the global growth, achievements, and heightened awareness of Martial Arts owe much to the contributions of numerous Masters, champions and stars featured on this list. The editorial team at Black Belt acknowledges that, for many years, the magazine lacked diverse coverage across race and gender. While this list doesn't alter historical oversights, it serves as a recognition of the past.  Moving forward, there is a commitment to embracing