June 14, 2024 – Jennifer “Jen” G. Smith has been inducted into Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry. Building upon her newfound love of martial arts and her extensive experience as an educator, Mrs. Smith seamlessly transitioned into the world of martial arts after educating students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade for over 20 years.
Her journey into the martial arts world began when she introduced her daughter to karate and subsequently discovered her own passion for the discipline. Ultimately, Ms. Smith’s late-life passion blossomed into a successful venture when, in 2021, she established of her own martial arts studio, EmPower Martial Arts, where she continues to inspire and teach others.
March 29 , 2024 – After much success in 2023, EmPower Martial Arts returned to the 2024 Canandaigua Martial Arts Tournament with 35 competitors. The tournament, held in Canandaigua, NY on March 16, brought together 12 different schools and over 100 competitors of all ages and ranks for a full day of competition.
“Once again, our students have shown us how much they have grown as individuals and how we have grown as a school,” said Sensei Jennifer Smith, the owner of EmPower Martial Arts. “We brought 35 competitors! That’s 20 more than last year, and most of them placed in their respective divisions. It shows that all of the effort they and the sensei’s put in truly pays off.”
June 29, 2023 – Dansville High School added self-defense classes to its physical education program as a means to promote personal safety, confidence, and empower students. The classes equipped students with practical skills and knowledge to navigate challenging situations, ensuring a safer and more secure school environment, district officials said in a news release.
The Foundation for Dansville Education contracted with Jennifer Smith, owner and instructor at Empower Martial Arts in Geneseo. Smith and Empower studio manager Eric Buchak II came to Dansville in the spring to offer a session with staff, and were invited back to provide training for high school students.
July 17, 2023 – EmPower Martial Arts, a local studio in downtown Geneseo, brought 18 competitors to the Twin Tiers Martial Arts Championship 2023 held in Horseheads on June 10, 2023. For the second tournament in a row, EmPower received the award for the most-supportive school.
The award for “Most-Supportive School” recognizes the dojo with the most students competing besides the hombu dojo itself or the organization sponsoring the event.
November 22, 2022 – Three senseis from EmPower Martial Arts, a Geneseo-based studio, scored four silvers in the Kyokushin American–International Karate Championships that took place Nov. 12 in Holley. The event brought together six different countries, all ages and all ranks, for a full day of competition.
“What an amazing result for EmPower’s first tournament,” said Sensei Jennifer Smith, the owner of EmPower Martial Arts. “This was our first time competing together as a team, and it was at an international level.”
Februrary 12, 2022 – After about a year of trying to find a place, Jennifer Smith held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday Jan. 22, to open EmPower Martial Arts at 133 Main Street in the village of Geneseo.
“I feel like communities need to have a place to go,” said Smith. Her business, she said, will offer classes for both children and adults. It is a place that is open to people of all ages and skill levels, she said. “Men, women, children and we even have people in their 70s who are starting. Martial arts is an amazing lifetime sport,” said Smith.
133 Main Street Geneseo, NY 14454
585 519-4400
info@empowermartialarts.org
