Uncrowned Community Builders

Kenneth B. Holley began his career in community service by serving in the United States Air Force. Upon his discharge, Kenneth served as co-director of Agape AME Church summer program and later as job developer and Director of Agapeââ?¬â?¢s youth employment program. For twenty-three years, he has been a founding member and Director of the Buffalo Lutheran Employment Service (BLES), located at 910 Fillmore Avenue in Buffalo. Under his direction, BLES has been a service ministry to hundreds of people annually for job referral and placement, and job readiness training. In addition, BLES offers the services of a food pantry.

Kennethââ?¬â?¢s commitment to community service continued as he served as co-coordinator of the Buffalo Kwanzaa Committee for 21 years. Kenneth owned and operated Harambee Books and Crafts, an African American bookstore, in two locations on the east side of Buffalo for twenty-one years. The store carried products and materials by and about people of African descent and was the meeting place for celebrations of Kwanzaa, Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X Day, Black History Study groups and author signings. Kenneth continues to participate in Juneteenth and other venues with products by and about people of African descent. He is a member of the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier and a board member of the Hananiah Community Ministries. Kenneth also co-edits a column in the Buffalo Challenger, ââ?¬Å?Turning Pagesââ?¬ a list of suggestive readings.

Among the awards that Kenneth has received are: the Ralph W. Lowe Award; City of Buffalo ââ?¬â?? Common Council; BLES Annual Service Award; Christ Lutheran Church ââ?¬â??Grass Root Award; Staff Dedicated Award; Southern Christian Leadership ââ?¬â??Outstanding Service Award; Invisible Soldiers Award ââ?¬â?? True Bethel Baptist church; Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition; New York Sate Assembly Citation, Common Council Proclaimed, June 15, 1999, ââ?¬Å?Kenneth Holley Dayââ?¬ in the City of Buffalo.

Kenneth is married to Sharon Jordan Holley and they are the parents of three lovely daughters; Nzinga Holley Harris, Asantewa and Makeda and two granddaughters; Nia and Jayla.