Earlier this week, I was invited to photograph a taekwondo test on East 15th Street in downtown Oakland. I arrived to a warmly-lit gym with a blue padded floor covered with a grid of kids powering through kicks and punches, dressed in white uniforms and white, yellow, green, blue, and purple belts. I watched as the class lined up to spar, demonstrate routines, and hammer wood boards with their feet. It was pretty cool.
What drew me to the event, though, wasn't the anxious promotion trials, or even the bold motivational speech of a real Taekwondo Grand Master, but the class's teacher, Albert Lee. Albert is a firm and compassionate leader, who motivates the kids in his program to powerful finesse. He's also the pastor of Oakland's Re:Generation Church, a hip congregation with a unique ministry.
I look forward to sharing more words and photos from Pastor Albert and his church in the months to come....
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