EARLY LIFE
Robert Henry Dickerson was born to the late Clarisse Jewel (Baxter) Dickerson-Arthur and the late George Dickerson on June 13, 1954, in Darby, Pennsylvania. Robert grew up in the A.M.E. Methodist Church and was also a member of the NAACP under the leadership of Mrs. Ethel Smiley.
Robert was raised as a Christian; however, he attributes his love and dedication to the community to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s Nation of Islam and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. As the result of the assassination of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King in April of 1968, Mr. Dickerson says that this all attributed to the Black Nationalist organizations being able to create a platform to recruit new and younger members. Robert and his two brothers, George and Warren, became members of the Nation of Islam in 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as teenagers and received their official X in 1971.
From his life experiences in religions, he has learned the universal approach to truly uplifting humanity. He has taught his students the value of working with and understanding all people’s ways of life. His ultimate goal was a universal and spiritual approach to continue the beauty of uplifting humanity while at the same time teaching African Americans to take pride in their roots and the history of the African Diaspora.
Robert graduated from Darby-Colwyn High School in 1972 and furthered his education by attending and graduating from Lyons Technical School for Electronics and Large-Scale Computers. Robert worked for Honeywell as a Large Scale Computer Operator from 1972-1974. Then from 1974 through 1982, he worked for Colonial Penn in the same capacity. Robert became a full-time entrepreneur in 1982 as the owner and operator of his own electronic business.
STARTING THE LEGACY
In October 1973, Robert met the love of his life, the former Wanda Johnson, at their North Philadelphia karate school, Ameer‘s Self-Defense System. They married on September 27, 1975, and from this union, they had four beautiful children–Jamal, Nasir, Atiya, and Ayanna. In addition, from this union, they developed one of the most accomplished performing arts groups in North America.
Robert H. Dickerson was a 9th Degree Grand Master Black Belt and trained and studied Martial Arts (Karate) and African Studies since 1968. Mr. Dickerson was also a recognized professor, author, teacher, and practitioner of martial arts, boxing, and kickboxing. He specialized in creating and developing programs that develop selfdiscipline, moral character, cultural awareness, and cultural pride.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
In 1983, Mr. Robert Dickerson founded and created the Unity Community Center of S.J. Incorporated, headquartered in Camden, New Jersey. In 1984, he began teaching community development programs: African-American history, dance and drum, Martial Arts (Karate), boxing, and kickboxing to the residents of Camden, New Jersey, South Jersey, and Philadelphia, PA. All of this was accomplished through his karate school known as the Universal Pasha Karate School (UPK), and the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble.
The Unity Community Center of S.J. Inc. is the parent organization to all of the national and world-renowned performing art programs, which includes the Universal Pasha Karate School, Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble, UPK Pasha Generals, UCC Praise Dance Ministry, UCC Music Ensemble, UCC Royal Brass Band, UCC Little Jazz Giants, Dean Tree, and UCC Cloud Nine Hip Hop Dance.
UCC Performing Arts has performed for hundreds of thousands of audiences all over America and abroad. They have been seen by millions on cable, local, national, and international television since 1984. Mr. Dickerson created one of the best Rites of Passage Programs, a development program (Boys to Men and Girls to Women) using the dynamics of Martial Arts, Military Style Boot Camp Techniques, Cultural and Discipline Development, and Training Classes in America. He taught and encouraged everyone, especially African Americans or Black People, to learn, appreciate, and understand the importance of honoring our culture, roots, heritage, and place of origin, which is the most beautiful and resourceful geographical area, Africa (THE MOTHERLAND).
SERVING THE CULTURE
Robert firmly believed in helping African Americans appreciate that there are other African Americans helping to build unity through teaching and emphasizing the importance of education, history, and the African Diaspora. He was most proud of presenting the beauty of our original culture of Africa through the Performing Arts.
In July of 2007, Robert, along with his wife Wanda Dickerson, were given their beautiful African names from Dr. Maulana Karenga, the creator of KWANZAA, while attending the Kawaida Institute of Pan-African Studies 30th Annual Seminar in Los Angeles, California. Robert was given the name Mshujaa (Warrior), and Wanda’s given Mpaiji (Generous one).
For his many accomplishments, he has been inducted into five prestigious Martial Arts Hall of Fames. His first induction happened at the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, held in Jacksonville, Florida, on May 7, 1994. He also received many awards, proclamations, citations, commendations, and resolutions from Governors, Mayors, elected officials, educators, community, business, and religious leaders alike.
Mr. Dickerson also participated on radio, local, and national television, discussing the principles of love, discipline, and the development of self-discipline using the dynamics of the Martial Arts (Karate).
CONTINUING THE LEGACY
Robert and his wife Wanda stressed and taught the value of education, and today, their four children, eldest son Jamal, obtained a Bachelor’s Degree from Morgan State University and a Master’s Degree from Rutgers University. Nasir has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the University of the Arts. Their daughter, Atiya, is the owner and operator of Janas Cosmetology Academy, the first African American Cosmetology school in New Jersey, and owner and head stylist of Jana’s Hair Salon in Lindenwold, NJ. Daughter Ayanna has a Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University and a Master’s Degree from Rowan University. These accomplishments by his children are evidence that Robert ensured the Dickerson family strived very hard to be positive role models and mentors, especially for our young people.
Robert was a lover of the black music experience. He enjoyed listening to his R& B oldies and creating a playlist of R& B songs that he put together for his wife, Wanda. Robert loved his family and Unity Community Center family. He and Wanda have raised generations of young people in Camden City. He expressed the enjoyment of competing, representing the culture, and performing for millions of people all over America and abroad.
Robert is survived by his wife, Wanda; his children, Jamal and Daughter In Love (Ronsha) Dickerson, Nasir Dickerson, Atiya and Son in Love (Dwayne) Johnson, Ayanna and Son in Love (Andrew) Bell; 15 grandchildren – Jamal II, Karima, Sekou, Tenenfig, Fatima, Akeelah, Nura, Jalia, Aisha, Dayanna, Anisah, Dwayne Jr, Jaleel, Zoe, Andrew Jr.; 2 great-grandchildren – Alira and Alani; Two brothers – Warren (Michelle) Dickerson and George Dickerson; one aunt Sidney Holmes; 4 nephews – Kamau (Andrea) Dickerson, Warren Jr, Joshua, Niam; 2 Nieces – Kai and Sabria Dickerson; host of great nieces, nephews, cousins, spiritual family, friends, students and a remarkable intergenerational village that he loved. He was preceded by his father, George Dickerson, and mother, Clarisse Arthur.
If you have ever heard of or know the term “unconditional love“ or understand the meaning of someone with a pure heart, you know the love and heart of Brother Robert Dickerson.
The community salutes you sir, for loving, caring and giving your ALL unconditionally. Your family and friends at Scoop are thankful and were Blessed to have known and loved you. Rest in Peace, Brother Rob. ScoopUSA Media
