Kenneth L. (Kenny) Hardin is a much-requested motivational speaker and has lectured at local Colleges, HBCUs, Prisons, Churches, and other venues/groups per request. He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and has been a published editorial, human interest and business profile writer for over 30 years. He has had articles appear in the Charlotte Post, the Salisbury Post and Black owned newspapers in Texas, Florida and Georgia.
Kenny is the Founder and owner of the Veterans Social Center, a social and recreation facility for honorably discharged veterans with mental and emotional health challenges, The Hardin Group, LLC and serves as the Executive Board Chairman of his nonprofit, The High Road, Inc., a nonlegal advocacy organization dedicated to helping people receive fairness and justice.
Kenny served honorably in the U.S. Air Force, where he was awarded numerous awards and letters of commendation for performance excellence. These included the U.S. Air Force Good Conduct Medal/Ribbon, the U.S. Air Force Longevity Ribbon, the U.S. Air Force Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and was a Distinguished Graduate of the Non-Commissioned Officer Preparatory School-Top 3% of class. As a Veteran, he was selected for induction into the 2021 Class of the N.C. Military Veterans Hall of Fame based on his meritorious service to his hometown and the State of N.C.
After being honorably discharged, Kenny attended and graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Communication Studies/Journalism from Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, N.C. In his civilian career, he worked for over 20 years in Healthcare leadership roles at large academic medical centers and small community-based hospitals in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Florida, Kentucky, and Maryland. He was responsible for Quality, Risk and Patient Experience/Satisfaction initiatives.
In 2015, Kenny ran successfully for his first term in political office by securing a seat on his hometown’s City Council. In 2017, he was awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award presented by the W.G. Hefner Salisbury Veterans Administration Medical Center for meritorious Community Service. In 2025 he was awarded the City of Salisbury NC’s Dr. Elizabeth Duncan Koontz Humanitarian Award.
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