Mwalimu Taliba Laweyzi has been a student of Vita Saana African Fighting Arts for sixteen years under the tutelage of the systems Founder and Creator Mwanzo J.C. Taliba is one of only six women to receive black level status from Mwanzo himself, having passed the four to five day test required before being considered eligible for the Black level. “There are only twenty eight of us out of a forty year history who accepted, then survived and passed the challenge. We left blood, sweat, tears, and our hearts on the floor to reach the black level bar set by Mwanzo. I am honored by his recognition but humbled by the work I must do to maintain and pass on the Saana’s Black Level Tradition.