Millennium Magazine_8th Ed

227 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE W hen he was 12 years old, Grandmaster Eric O’Neal Sr. commenced practicing the art of karate. Realizing that the martial arts provided him with a sense of direction, he desired to give back to the underprivileged youth through karate in the same method he was introduced to as a child. In 1986, Mr. O’Neal founded the Blue Lion Karate Academy in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he now serves as chief executive officer and a teacher to thousands of children over the past three decades. Additionally, he is the chief executive officer of the Lionman Foundation, which he established in 1990. Concurrent to these pursuits, Mr. O’Neal has been the president and chief executive officer of O’Neal Publishing since 1990 and vice president of marketing of the Masters Hall of Fame since 2009. Earlier in his career, he partnered with former First Lady Michelle Obama for the “Let’s Move” Initiative between 2011 and 2013. He had also been a coordinator and partner with the Disney Martial Arts Festival from 2009 to 2011. In light of his aptitude for the martial arts and giving back to his community, Mr. O’Neal was inducted into the Karate Hall of Fame. He attributes much of his success to his first karate teacher from when he was 12 years old. He believes that his teachings and discipline helped Mr. O’Neal retain a firm goal throughout his life. Impressively, he won two Gold Medals at the Olympic level, as well as many international championships. Notably, Mr. O’Neal has continued to serve as a pioneer in martial arts for African Americans. Mr. O’Neal holds a BS in computer programming from the University of New Orleans, which he obtained in 1982. Prior to commencing his karate business, he served such companies as Minolta Corp., the Hilton Hotel, the Windsor Court Hotel and the LeMeridian Hotel in various auditing and programming roles. Looking toward the future, Mr. O’Neal intends to continue walking the path of life wherever it takes him. Millennium Magazine Featured Listee GRANDMASTER ERIC O’NEAL SR. FOUNDER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Blue Lion Karate Academy New Orleans, LA