PGC: Tell me about yourself.

Kennedy: I am 42 years old and am an account manager with GlobalFit here in Center City. We promote health & wellness benefits to Fortune 500 companies . I moved to Center City about 8 years ago. I am originally from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Living in Philadelphia is the first time that I have ever lived outside of NC. Moving to the area was somewhat of a culture shock. I was not accustomed to such an organized gay community, nor anything remotely similar to a “Gayborhood.” It was such a contrast to life in NC. Though I lived in the most liberal and well educated area of NC…for a gay man (let alone black & gay) in Raleigh-Durham can be a bit restrictive. Moving to Philadelphia, as a gay person, was like removing the shackles from my legs. There was a sense of freedom on so many levels that was quite refreshing. When you live in a place without an organized gay community…it is so easy to slip into this singular mindset…a person can have their own little world with work and their set of friends and everything is just fine. Moving to Philadelphia and becoming involved with Mint Voyagers…helped me to see how important it is to become involved in the community. The only way that we can achieve success with our goals…is to work as a team, a true community working together with one voice. Living in NC, this though process never entered my mind.

PGC: What group were you in and who is your mentor?

Kennedy: I was part of Team Mobility. I plan to become involved with Independence Business Alliance, working directly with Evan Urbania.

PGC: How did you get into the program?

Kennedy: I was invited to join Mint Voyagers through my connection with the DVLF…as I served on the board for about a year.

PGC: Tell me what you want people to know about you and your experience with the program.

Kennedy: Mint Voyagers opened my eyes to the notion that I was part of something that was much bigger than simply one person. This sounds quite obvious, to the point of sounding silly, but who else knows what is best for the gay community than the gay people. If we do not continue to be there as a “team” to grab the baton from our predecessors…who shall continue the race for the causes and rights that we seek to achieve success in? This is what I obtained from my time with Mint Voyagers. So many of our brothers and sisters before us lost so much…their families, jobs, freedom and lives fighting for equal rights as an American, who just happened to be gay or lesbian.

We congratulate Kennedy for being part of the first class of this program. We can’t wait to see what he does. If you are interested in getting more information or nominating someone into the program, please contact John Moeller Jr. at 215.563.6417 ext 117 or email to info@dvlf.org.