Meet Kennedi Glass

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kennedi Glass.

Hi Kennedi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am Kennedi Glass, a digital content creator, dancer, and radio talk show host. I was born in Albany, New York but raised in Saint Louis, Missouri. Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved the arts and always found a way to be creative. My mother danced and sang, and I adapted those same talents. The passion that I had for dance, however, became more vital than singing. Whether I was freestyling/improving, mimicking my favorite entertainers from TV, or praise dancing, I knew that I felt my freest expressing myself through movement. Early on, I was quiet, but I slowly grew out of my shell once I had the opportunity to do what I love daily.

From middle and high school, I attended Grand Center Arts Academy (GCAA), a public charter performing arts school, where I trained in ballet, modern/contemporary, jazz, and hip hop. At this time, I was living my best life. I was learning from some of the best choreographers in Saint Louis, including Ashley L. Tate and Chivas Merchant-Buckman. During my sophomore year of high school, I was a part of the Dance Ensemble, a selected group of individuals representing the dance department for live school concerts and local events. Still, I received extensive training outside of school hours and much more.

My confidence grew tremendously. I started becoming comfortable with myself, which was reflected in my dancing. The turning point for me was senior year when I was the cadet instructor alongside Ms. Ashley Tate, my former dance instructor and mentor. I contributed to the training of two beginner/intermediate jazz classes. Tate allowed me to flow and countless opportunities to instruct the class for the entire class period and choreograph combinations. Working with middle and high school students was a pleasure and honor. Committing to the cadet experience taught me to plan effectively, think on my feet quickly, and many other life skills. Not only did I appreciate teaching, but I also grew to cherish the process of choreographing. With this in mind, I debuted my first group piece, “Thinking,” during our annual senior dance concert. The sweat, tears, and long rehearsals were worth it. As a reflection of my time at GCAA, I was able to grow artistically and personally. Once I graduated from high school, I attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City. I was able to get my name out initially through the dance community. A former dance classmate presented me with an opportunity to submit original choreography for Empire Dance Academy’s Choreographer Showcase in 2018. I received recognition in the Kansas City dance community because of this opportunity, which served my interest in meeting new people and learning from well-known choreographers. From that moment forward, my network expanded.

In 2019, in my sophomore year of college, I participated in the African American Youth Leadership Conference. I had the opportunity to work on set for Shae Perry’s first short film titled “Courtside Reality.” From 2019 to 2020, I served as the professional event chair for the Marketing Leadership Association and worked closely with the Marketing Advisory Council. In all of these roles, I met many business professionals in the urban Kansas City area. This was the academic year that I also decided to switch the emphasis of my primary and add a minor in Film and Media Studies. I changed my focus from entrepreneurship to marketing because I wanted to learn more about branding, advertising, and digital marketing. The Film and Media studies minor was an outlet for me to explore mass media production.

In 2020, I also decided to create a radio talk show called Kandid Konvos w/ Ken, and on October 27, I aired my first show. Shae Perry, my friend, and mentor inspired me to start my show. Me and Shae’s history goes way back, but once I saw her involvement with K-Roo Radio, I was inspired. I admired her work ethic and drive, which motivated me to explore radio. I decided to drop the minor toward the end of the year, but before I did, I took a radio production course with Professor Angela Elam. That course was my introduction to radio broadcasting and production. Not only was Angela the professor of the course, but she was also the advisor for K-Roo Radio. One of the pros of taking this course was that I could do so while producing my show. I learned to operate the broadcast consoles and mixers, edit audio content on ADOBE Audition, and have countless opportunities to practice my public speaking skills.

Moving forward, the show quickly evolved, and in 2021, I was elected the station manager president for K-Roo Radio. I presented many opportunities because of the brand that I developed. In April of 2021, UMKC’s Office of Student Involvement and Union Programming Board asked me to emcee Yell Like Hell, and a few months later, I was asked to host the annual Talent Show. This year, I was also asked to join a panel for the First Gen Roos: Networking Like A Boss Event.

On May 15, 2022, I graduated from UMKC with my Bachelor’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and officially became a freelance graphic designer.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Reflecting on my collegiate experience, I’ve identified the importance of mental health. The journey was tough in choosing to attend UMKC, a university in another city. The experiences on and off campus taught me how much I could bear and handle. I was challenged mentally, which impacted my physical appearance and emotions. In times of stress, I would eat late. When I found myself procrastinating, I felt discouraged, but despite all the challenges I’ve faced this far, I am proud that I remained calm and completed what was needed. Whether I struggled with courses, was told “no,” or lacked discipline, I leaned on God to guide me and had a strong support system to motivate me. Through prayer and His word, he strengthened me. The challenges turned into life lessons.

Now that I have graduated college, I think the biggest challenge is figuring out what Kennedi will do next. Time flies by so fast, and in the industry that I am interested in, there are many avenues I could take. I love that I’ve accumulated different skills that can be intertwined, but I also have to pace myself. I plan to continue my graphic design services and expand the radio platform, but I am open to more opportunities.

Along the way, I’ve learned that time is precious. There is no room to waste it. I say this all the time but being intentional and using your time wisely is big.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a dancer/emerging choreographer, a digital content creator, and am most notable for being the host and producer of Kandid Konvos w/ Ken.

My dance journey started ever since I was a little girl, but I didn’t officially start training until I was about ten. Attending a performing arts middle and high school was beneficial toward my path in discovering my true passions for dancing but also choreographing. After setting and debuting my biggest piece of choreography at GCAA, I landed more choreography showcase opportunities away from Saint Louis. I now teach modern/contemporary classes in my spare time.

As a digital creator, I specialize in graphic design, content marketing, and social media management. I’ve enjoyed editing ever since high school and wanted to create better quality work. I started to invest in different editing platforms, and as I continued practicing, I began publicly showcasing my work. My skills and experience granted me opportunities to work as a marketing/pr assistant for an independent artist, build my graphic design service clientele, and much more.

Kandid Konvos w/ Ken came to life in October 2020, but the idea has been in the works since the beginning of that year. I have always been passionate about meeting new people and inspiring others through stories and the arts. While utilizing my networking skills, I established a platform for individuals to be discovered, heard, and credited. At the onset of Kandid Konvos w/ Ken, I kept guests limited, and the conversations revolved around culture and lifestyle. Still, once I started conducting interviews, I slightly changed the scope. The show, in its entirety, embraces newness and creativity in the entertainment and business industries. I have the pleasure and opportunity to interview entrepreneurs, creatives, and independent artists that are both well-known and underground. Some guests include Aliyah Glass, Jayaun Smith, Shae Perry, Bobby Jackson, Kenyata Gant, Renita Johnson, and Joshua Lewis. I also have segments called “Major Announcements” and “Special Shoutouts,” where I recognize small businesses and encourage campus involvement when I attended UMKC. The show is a tribute to highlight local talent and business owners while engaging in meaningful dialogue.

In all of my accomplishments, I am proud that I can use my gifts to engage and impact the community. My love for networking opened doors that put me in a position where I can praise multifaceted individuals and give them the credit they deserve. My passion for graphic design allows me to tap into my creative flow to produce polished projects that clients envision. My love for choreographing enables me to create a peaceful, no-judgment atmosphere with individuals who need an outlet to break free from reality.

Along the way, there were times when I wanted to give up, but to grow, I learned to embrace change and welcome new challenges. Lastly, I believe that my vibrant personality, determination, and eagerness to learn set me apart from others. In all of my interactions, I’ve heard that I have a radiance that is gravitating and in every conversation, I want to leave curious and inspired. I am also big on showing love and supporting those around me, so seeing others win in their endeavors brings me joy.

We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking?
Although I haven’t taken any major risks, I believe taking risks is important because you could potentially create opportunities that’ll prepare you for a bright future. Here’s an example. As a child and growing up as a teen, I was surrounded by adults. Since I was comfortable communicating with adults, it was not hard for me to establish a good rapport with faculty, staff, and other individuals who’ve experienced life more than I have. The funny thing is that I was not always confident initiating those conversations. Dance was one contributing factor that helped boost my confidence, but I also knew that I couldn’t remain quiet. I decided to get out of my comfort zone, and that steemed countless opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs and creatives. An example is when I aired my first show of Kandid Konvos w/ Ken. Violating copyright laws, trademark infringement, and public opinions were all risks I was aware of going into the venture. By abiding by the media rules and enjoying the company I brought on board, the show turned into a platform that I am proud of.

Risks can be scary, but you also have to have a sense of bravery and faith in the choice to pursue the goal. The biggest takeaway for me in terms of taking risks is making the best decision for you.

Pricing:

• Freelance: Graphic Design Services | For promotional content creation (social media usage such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc)
• Flyers $30
• Animated flyers $40
• Promotional Videos (branding/business-related videos) $50
• YouTube Intros and Outros ($50)  and Outros ($25)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/kennedig
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennedig_ | https://www.instagram.com/kandidkonvoskg_
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSsKmy131CiyoR48rdIQJ2A
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/2BahXWe8vAsO9DBrvzc1np | http://www.tiktok.com/@kennediglass | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kandid-konvos-w-ken/id1554147915

Image Credits
Davion Sanderson → @sauce_demon3 @sauce_models Kennedi Glass → photos + flyers + show logo