We have started a project to map out female BJJ black belts in the U.S., state by state. This database is for the women’s jiu-jitsu community as a free resource for anyone who wants to find a gym with an active female black belt practicioner or an instructor.
So far we found about 160 ladies through friends, IBJJF rankings and social media. There are probably another 30-40 black belts whom we somehow missed.
If you can help us complete the project, we would greatly appreciate it. Check out the black belt list and if you see a name that is missing the year of promotion, instructor’s name or current location, and you can help us correct it, please do. If you know of a female black belt who is not mentioned, please comment and we can add her. Thank you and happy training!
BJJ For Women 
Hi! My name is Judy Riley, and I am a female black belt in Frederick MD under Luke Rinehart at Clinch Academy. We are affiliated with Big Brothers. I received my BB in March 2015, and just this past June 2018 I received my first stripe. 🙂
Thank you Judy! We will add you and congratulations on your stripe!
Felicia Spencer, instructor The Jungle MMA and Fitness Orlando, FL
Thank you Jennifer! We will add her.
Sharon Schleif ,Rigan Machado black belt,only female BJJ black belt in michigan february 16 2016
Hi Sharon, Michigan did look awfully empty. Will update accordingly 🙂
Amanda Hill, Gracie Barra black belt, from Glendale, CA.
Thank you! Appreciate the info.
Vanessa Wexler
Gracie Barra Black Belt in Colorado Springs, CO
Thank you Vanessa! Do you want to add your promotion year and professor’s name as well?
Sarah Andersch From Fargo BJJ, Fargo Noth Dakota is a black belt 🙂
Thank you! Sarah has been added.
Sara Fearon, 2013, Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu
Thanks Sara!
My name is Sheri Hockman. I am a Black Belt under Rosendo Diaz. (4th degree BB under Royler/Gracie/David Adiv) Promoted Aug 22 2015. Rosendo Diaz BJJ is in Harleysville Pa.
Thanks Sheri! Added you to the list.
Victoria Boudreaux
BB since June 2017
Buckhead Jiu Jitsu, Atlanta, GA
Shereen Fons
Alliance HQ Black Belt
Atlanta, GA
Thanks Victoria! Both names added 🙂
I have further info on one black belt currently listed:
Rachel Morrison on the Unknown Location list is now Rachel Morrison Casias (Rachel Casias on the TN list) instructor at Tennessee Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy (http://www.tbjja.com) under Ray Casias. I do not know her year of promotion though.
I would also like to add one of my instructors to the North Carolina list:
Christine Basulto is an instructor at Gracie Humaita North Carolina under Royler Gracie, promoted to black belt in 2014.
I forgot to add the website for Gracie Humaita North Carolina: http://www.wncbjj.com/SitePages/Home.aspx. The website is a little behind since they’re switching to using social media more.
Thank you for the info Meghan!
Marion Reneau in California…black belt and top 15 UFC fighter
Thanks Gustavo, added Marion.
Kiri Noelle Netherton, California (think she’s training out of Honu BJJ in San Diego).
Thanks! Added Kiri.
Nicole Inacio, Gracie Barra Santa Barbara, Black Belt since April 2017
Thanks Nicole, your info has been updated!
Hi, I realized that you have Fiona Watson listed but not her academy or year of promotion. She owns Notorious Mixed Martial Arts in East Rutherford New Jersey, and was promoted to black belt in 2014.
Thank you, this is very helpful. We will update Fiona’s info right away.
How do we add a name to the Female Black Belt list? Lena Hudson. Georgia. Americus Martial Arts aacademy. Promoted spring of 2018 by Gustavo Machado.
Thank you Ken! We are adding Lena on the list. Appreciate it.
Hey, great list! I don’t see Amanda Loewen, That’s the one I know is missing … and there’s a typo in Samantha Faulhaber’s name. Thank you for doing this list!
https://www.facebook.com/AmandaLoewenSBG/
Thanks Jeff, Amanda is listed with her married name Diggins. Corrected Samantha!
Ahhhh, I shoulda known you’d be way ahead of me. Thanks for the note, and thanks again for the list!
Thanks you Jeff!
I have two Black Belts you’re missing from Studio 540 in Solana Beach, CA (Studio540.com) – both are instructors:
Jessica Thon-Ralph 2015 – under Jared Emfield
Analilya Calzada 2018 – under Joel Tudor
Thanks for your work on this list – fantastic!
Thank you very much! We will add Jessica and Analilya to the list asap. Appreciate the info 🙂
Please add Megan Burbante to your list of Female Black Belts.
Megan Burbante, 2017, Allen Hopkins, instructor at Team Hopkins Morgan City, Louisiana
Thanks Hutch, we have updated the list!
Carla Torres is a black belt promoted in 2018z she trains at Charles Gracie Academy in Tracy California.
Brandy Hernandez – Belted by Marcus Antelante of Soul Fighters 2017 – home gym and instructor at Vagabond BJJ Odessa, Texas.
Thank you! We are adding Brandy. Didn’t know she had moved away from Dallas.
Jennifer Turner promoted by Cobrinha in 2016
Los Angeles, Ca
https://vimeo.com/249266877 (around 1:14)
Cool video! We added Jennifer to the list.
California
Liz Exell, 2018, under Alberto Vilanova, Vilanova Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Veronica Mayorga was promoted by Adem Redzovic and I believe she is currently training at Carlson Gracie Irvine.
Hey there! I’ve had my black belt under Clovis Silva in San Francisco since 2013.
I teach for Thrive Cia Paulista in Pacifica.
Oss !
Thanks Debra! We have added your info to the list.
Yvette Aguirre 2018 GF Team Blackbelt under Julio Cesar and Danny Vaughan. Coach at M3 Fight &. Fitness in Montrose, CA.
Thanks Yvette, your info has been added!
I received my black belt on December 3rd from Prof Omar Jimenez of Renzo Gracie Rockland and Gregor Gracie. I have started my 16th year of training jiu jitsu.
Danielle Cherdak
Tennessee
2019 black belt
Under Samuel Braga
Gracie Barra
Hello, I just received my black belt under Zenith (Robert Drysdale) in Pennsylvania. October 2, 2022