Kenny Jones
Kenny Jones is a native of Norfolk, Virginia, where he was another neighborhood kid surrounded by drugs and other negative influences. While his family strived to give him the best foundation he could possibly get, it was easy for him to be influenced by the negative choices made by his peers. But Kenny sought otherwise. Remembering the teachings of his mother and grandmother and having a younger sister, he knew he had to do something productive with his life. At 10, Kenny began to explore his performing arts talents. He became very active in the marching band, forensics team, double dutch team, community theatres, volunteer shelters, and especially step teams. He found a way to channel his energy onto the stage. On his own, at 18, he moved from Norfolk, Virginia to Jackson, Mississippi. He went on to receive his Bachelor's degree in Speech and Dramatic Art from Jackson State University. He was the first person in his family and neighborhood to graduate from college. Stepping soon after became the main escape for Kenny. He began to tour with world renowned step groups earning national and international titles. After establishing himself as a stepping artist, Kenny was invited to have a permanent residency with the New WORLD theatre's Project 2050.
Kenny has revolutionized stepping as an art form and fused it with his constant mission to change the lives of youth. Kenny has been stepping for over 15 years now and continues his constant work as a stepping artist. In 2006, because of his familiarity and relation to inner city neighborhoods, Kenny organized Philly X-Treme, a youth organization that allows teens to channel frustrations through stepping. This organization is about more than stepping. It creates a circle of support for those who Kenny reaches out to and seeks him out for support.
He is also a 2006 Masters graduate of Drexel University's Arts Administration program. Kenny is pursuing his doctoral degree in Social Policy and Urban Education in hopes of changing federal policies towards minority non-profit organizations. As a result of his hard work, continued strive, and humble attitude, he was recognized in the February 2007 issue of Ebony magazine as one of the nation's top 30 young leaders under 30. He has also been recognized in the Avenue Report magazine of lifestyle and luxury. As the Arts and Education Director of the Village of Arts and Humanities, Kenny is on a constant journey to infuse history and future to succeed.
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