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.” 

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

 

His efforts, along with others, led to the desegregation  of Girard College; a school in the middle of the African-American community, with a 100-year-old admission policy that admitted white male orphans only.  Institutions whose policies represented prejudice or segregation motivated him to travel throughout the country; trying to be a beacon of hope, especially to the youth. He worked with Fannie Lou Hammer of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, fighting for the rights of African Americans to vote. Kenneth was present when Stokley Carmichael first announced the slogan “Black Power” in Mississippi. Kenneth demonstrated with Dr. King on the James Meredith 200-mile march. During the march, tear gas was used by the Mississippi authorities to stop the marchers. He witnessed Dr. King become overwhelmed by the gas. Little did Kenneth know, a year later he would have the unfortunate honor of escorting the body of Dr. King to his final resting place. A picture of the teenager Kenneth at the funeral is depicted in Ebony Magazine and at the King Center in Atlanta. 

 

In the late 1960s, Kenneth was on the planning committee for the first National Black Power Conference held at the Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia. Kenneth assisted in the first memorial services in 1965 for El Hajj Malik Shabazz (Malcolm X) along with his wife, the late Dr. Betty Shabazz. He worked on the campaign to elect the first African- American Pennsylvania State Senator, Herbert Arlene. Kenneth helped organize the first food caravan from Philadelphia to feed the starving children in Mississippi. On the first trip, the vehicle overturned and his cousin was killed at the age of 23.  Kenneth, along with four others, shut down the main post office in Philadelphia for 12 hours by handcuffing themselves to the doors in an effort to get more African-Americans promoted. In 1966, he was one of five men who went to a KKK rally to protest them having their rally near Lincoln University. He stood guard outside the home of the first African-American family who moved into an all white Kingston neighborhood. He was present in the office of the late Honorable Adam Clayton Powell, when he was forced out of the United States Congress. Kenneth co-organized a radio telethon from Radio City, New York, to raise money for the United Sickle Cell Anemia Association.

 

When the city of Philadelphia wanted to honor the late Father Paul Washington of the Church of the Advocate with a mural on a city wall, Father Washington asked to include Freedom Smitty and two other freedom fighters in his mural. While living in Anderson, South Carolina, Kenneth facilitated the building of the first community center built from the ground up without tax dollars. His name is inscribed in stone on the center as one of its founders.  Kenneth was invited to a special recognition breakfast at the United States Constitution Center, honoring Elizabeth Eckford, one of the historical, 9 Little Rock Arkansas youth who implemented the U.S. Supreme court decision to end segregation in Arkansas public schools. 

 

Media: In 1969, a part of his civil rights behavior was depicted in a movie called “The Lost Man,” starring Academy award winner Sidney Poitier. He can also be seen inspiring a crowd of demonstrators in Mississippi, in the public television award series “Eyes on the Prize,” and in the story of the integration of Girard College “At the Wall” aired on WYBE TV. CBS TV news interviewed Kenneth and other Philadelphian Freedom Fighters on the eve of President Barack Obama’s historical nomination, and again on the night of his victory to become the 44th president of the United States. (youtube: search (Kenneth Salaam/freedom Smitty)  

 

Some Awards/ Assignments: Honorable Discharge from United States Army, The Sultan Jihad Ahmad Community Foundation Award, The Cecil B. Moore Humanitarian Award, U.S. Congressman Fattah, “Men Who Make a Difference” Award, The Jubilee Charter School Freedom Quilt Award, Philadelphia City. Participated inter-faith meeting at the Philadelphia Union League- a week after 911 USA tragedy.  Philadelphia Council and Pennsylvania State Senate citation. Masjidullah Inc Spirit of Justice Award. Harris Wofford Martin Luther King Day of Service Active Citizenship Award .  Girard College Chapel Speaker.  Marcus Garvey 100th Anniversary Award. 2015 Emmy Award- Cecil’s People: The Freedom Fighters. A play called Freedom Smitty was produced in 2016. Logistics: Director in Philadelphia National Council of Negro Women “Black Family Reunion Celebration” (10,000 attendances)-1999 Islamic national Convention hosted by Imam W.D.Mohammed. African American Festival Parade (WPVI 6 TV) -I.C.P.I.C Islamic Festival, NTCD Community Give back Festival, National M.A.L.I Conference .  Kenneth attended a private breakfast during President Nelson Mandela’s visit to Philadelphia.  Few of his engagements over the years: Member of Cecil B. Moore Philadelphia Freedom Fighters. A Founding member of the Nicetown CDC which brought more than $30 million in investment to provide affordable housing and economic development for a once underserved  Philadelphia neighborhood.   Masjid Freehaven, Lawnside N.J. Inter-faith spokesman –Youth Mentor-The Sultan Jihad Ahmad Community Foundation.  Board member: Organization for Africans with Disabilities Inc. –collecting and sending medical equipment to rural hospitals in West Africa.  

 

Kenneth’s motto; “One humanity built on Human Excellence” - “A community grows because of dedicated souls”