The fourth child of eight siblings; at the age of 14 he was inspired by the human rights issues of the 1960’s. When Kenneth heard of the assassination of Civil Rights leader Medgar Evers, it left a deep impression on his heart and mind.

He left high school in the 11th grade at the age of 16 to join Cecil B. Moore, the civil rights leader who fought vigorously to end discrimination in the city of Philadelphia. Kenneth became a member of a direct action group for Cecil B. Moore, which came to be known as the “Young Militants.” 

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His commitments to improve the quality of life for all people lead him to become known in the Civil Rights community as “Freedom Smitty.”