Standing in line at a grocery store, I feel a tingling, a prickly feeling run up my spine. Initially, taking a breath to calm my reaction and then slowly turning to see what might have caused this sensation, I find myself staring into the eyes of a man staring back at me. My glaring at him with steady eyes and confidence, also portrayed in my posture, moves him to take a step away from me. He was following my nonverbal cues. I learned this technique in the T.A.K.E. DEFENSE class offered by The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation.
Alexandra Elizabeth Kemp’s father, Roger Kemp, is my guest on episode 32, “Saving Lives is Ali Kemp’s Legacy”. Roger and Kathy Kemp’s own lives came crashing down on June 18, 2002, when their 19-year-old, first-born, vivacious, spirited, intelligent, beautiful and filled-with-life daughter, Ali was brutally murdered. A Blue Valley North High School graduate, Kansas State University sophomore and sorority sister in Pi Beta Phi, Ali was living a full and engaging life. She was a beloved older sister to two brothers, a friend to many, and sought after for leadership commitments and mission work abroad.
For his efforts in creating The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation, T.A.K.E. DEFENSE and his work in the heartland region to help law enforcement flush out criminals, Roger received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Obama in October 2011. While this event was a memorable occasion, Roger is quick to add he is equally as proud of the following accomplishments.
To date, 69,000 girls and women, ages 12 to 90, have been trained in self-defense by martial arts expert and current holder of a 9th degree Black Belt, Jill Leiker, who also fills the role of Executive Director of the foundation named after Ali. Jill’s spouse, Bob Leiker joins her in curriculum creation for the T.A.K.E. DEFENSE course. Bob is an expert in self-defense and tactical training, holding his own 9th degree Black Belt.
Roger shares with us the importance of tenacity and working with law enforcement as well as community to solve crimes. Hand in hand with the likes of legendary Alvin Brooks, Roger was instrumental in solving 11 homicides in the Kansas City metropolitan area during the same time he was searching for the monster who heinously stole Ali’s future. With the help of Lamar Advertising locally and nationally, truck drivers from the east coast to the west, Roger blanketed the United States with a composite sketch of the murder suspect. These efforts proved to be crucial in apprehending the suspect who was brought into custody, tried and convicted. You will find the book “Ali Was Here” a compelling read, while traversing the details of Roger and Kathy’s journey on behalf of their daughter.
Now what? You can help save a life, too. Take an action by helping the efforts of The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation and their T.A.K.E. DEFENSE class with a financial donation…click here.
Sharing his desire to save young girls and women from predators, Roger vows that by teaching them self-defense techniques, “not to fight but to get out of the situation and make it home”, his daughter’s compassion for life is a living legacy. Through his grief and healing journey, Roger’s powerful words ring clearly, “I get up every morning and fight the battle”. A battle he will fight until he meets Ali in Heaven.
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