The KP Initiative exists to be a positive change
agent in the lives of minority males. The initiative is respectfully named after the late, Kenneth L. Porter - beloved husband, father, and community servant. Like Mr. Porter, the initiative will come alongside minority males and help them see the unlimited potential to live healthy, productive, and impactful lives.
Long before I responded to the call to serve through the creation of The KP Initiative, I remember witnessing my father responding to his calling to serve through his profession as a social worker and through his call in the church as a Deacon and within the community on a local and national level. His heart was that of a servant-leader.
Through his profession: my father would graciously serve individuals society often labels and considers “the least of these.” Day in and day out, he fought systems and structures, to empower beyond circumstance, but also to create opportunities for access and equity.
In church and the community: my father had a strong passion for making sure all voices were heard, but that specifically of Black men and boys. He wanted to make sure they were seen. He wanted to make sure they had value. He wanted to make sure they could thrive. He wanted them to know that with him, they were covered. He truly supported our Black boys and young men with his every fiber. He was a constant and very present in the lives he mentored.
Watching my father lead through service, I knew intentional space needed to be created for our Black men and boys to heal AND thrive. Space that welcomes our boys at the grade school level and continues to pour into them as they matriculate into young adult years (and beyond). Oftentimes, we see such space designed for our girls and young women, but not so often intentional space for our Black males --- so the vision was given to me to birth this space for them, that they may feel safe, and vulnerable, and that they can call their own.
Before my father passed away in 2018, I knew I wanted this space to not only speak to the level of man he was as a husband, father, and servant-leader, but I wanted every inch of the program to speak to the entire Black man/boy so they too, can stand selflessly tall, heal, grow, and lead. The KP Initiative bears my father’s name (Kenneth Porter), and the mission continues to grow with our current leadership with passion and purpose.
All that the KP Initiative has done and will continue to do will be to the glory of God, and for the benefit of the community. Our Black men and boys are enough!
In Service and Community,
Sharyse M. Porter
Visionary + Advisor
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