Sensei Jared Lloyd is the owner and head instructor of Lloyd’s Okinawan Karate in Wendell, North Carolina. His martial arts journey began in 1993 at just ten years old, training under Charles Mann, Hanshi (Okinawa Kenpo) in Zebulon, NC. Through decades of dedication, Sensei Lloyd earned the rank of 5th-degree black belt in Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo (Odo Lineage) and became Hanshi Mann’s most senior student.

Driven by a desire to understand the deeper principles and Life Protection teachings of classical Okinawan karate, Sensei Lloyd expanded his training beyond the dojo. He attended numerous seminars across the East Coast, including many Spring, Summer, and Fall Shobayashi Kan gasshuku led by Bill “Old Student” Hayes, Hanshi, 10th Dan. Hanshi Hayes—renowned for his service as a U.S. Marine with three tours in Okinawa and two in Iwakuni, Japan during Vietnam—trained closely with O’Sensei Eizo Shimabukuro, Hanshi, 10th Dan (1925–2017). His deep experience and lineage made a profound impact on Sensei Lloyd’s martial arts journey.

It was within the Shobayashi Kan that Sensei Lloyd found the deeper training he had long been seeking. After years of consistent study, he became a full member of the Shobayashi Kan research society in November 2016. On September 23, 2023, he was promoted to 3rd-degree black belt in Shobayashi Ryu by Bill Hayes, Hanshi, and on April 26, 2025, he was unexpectedly honored with promotion to 4th-degree black belt, also by Hayes, Hanshi. These achievements reflect decades of effort and committed training alongside the senior members of the Shobayashi Kan.

Sensei Lloyd has had the privilege of personal training with top Shobayashi Ryu instructors, including Mark Knox, Kyoshi and Tony D'Angelo, Kyoshi, in Chicago, IL, further deepening his understanding of the art. He also attends as many Shobayashi Ryu gasshuku as possible each year. The exceptional skill and profound understanding demonstrated by the seniors of the Shobayashi Kan (pictured below) inspire him to remain humble, dedicated, and always striving to embody the spirit of old Okinawan karate.