LaVonna Moore

A native of Newport News, Virginia, and a retired U.S. Army combat veteran, our Founder leads with the disciplined precision and resilience forged during tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. She is a Bronze Star Medal recipient. Following her distinguished military service, she recognized a critical need for high-quality, empowering self-defense education tailored specifically for women. This realization, combined with her lifelong passion for teaching, birthed the .50 Cal Queens Self-Defense Academy, a premier women's self-defense academy. Lavonna's commitment to excellence extends into the academic and civic realms. She holds an MBA and is currently a Ph.D. student, bringing a sophisticated, research-backed approach to her business and instructional methods. As a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, she embodies the principles of scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood in every aspect of her life. Beyond her professional and academic pursuits, she is the dedicated mother of three children—the primary inspiration behind her mission to create a safer, more positive world for the next generation of women through effective self-defense training.

Her Certifications Include:

• Certified Firearm Instructor (USCCA)
• Certified Range Safety Officer (USCCA)
• Certified Master Resiliency Trainer (U.S. Army)
• U.S. Army Combative Level I & II (Brazilian Jiujitsu)
• Certified Senior Instructor (U.S. Army)
• Certified in Basic Pistol (NRA)
• Certified in Basic Rifle (NRA)
• First Aid/ AED
• Stop the Bleed -CPR (Adult & Pediatric) -Youth Firearm Instruction Trained (USCCA)