Derrick Clark is the owner and a head instructor of Clark's Self Defense since 1999 and the owner and head instructor of Gracie University, East Sarasota since 2021.  He has over a decade of Jiu-Jitsu training and earned a rank of Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt prior to getting involved with Gracie University.  Derrick has since been promoted to the rank of Brown Belt in Jiu-Jitsu.  Derrick was certified as a Gracie University Blue Belt and became a Gracie University instructor in 2021 under Ryon and Rener Gracie. 

Derrick is also a Certified 7th Degree Black Belt in Kempo Karate and a Pressure Points instructor with supplemental training in Shotokan Karate, Okinawan and Wu Shu Weaponry and Kung Fu.