Kadida Kenner
Kadida Kenner | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kadida N. Kenner |
| Education | Temple University |
| Known for | Founder of the New Pennsylvania Project |
| Political party | Democratic |
Kadida N. Kenner is an American nonprofit executive, voting rights activist, and political contributor who is the founder and CEO of the New Pennsylvania Project.
Early life and education
[edit]Kenner was born in Pittsburgh[1] and raised in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where she met Rosa Parks as a teenager during Black History Month.[2] She graduated from Temple University with a bachelor's degree.[3][4]
Career
[edit]Kenner was a director, producer, and writer for HBCU sports television programming. She worked in live and scripted television in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia for ESPNU.[3][5]
During the 2016 presidential election, Kenner worked for the Clinton campaign as a campaign organizer in Charlotte.[5] She became involved in political advocacy after returning to Pennsylvania in 2017.[2] She worked as director of campaigns for the PA Budget and Policy Center, testifying before the Pennsylvania Senate in support of raising the minimum wage in January 2021.[6]
In 2022, Kenner criticized Pennsylvania's political candidates for failing to deliver for Black Americans, saying: "They ask for our vote, and then we don't see them again."[7]
In 2023, Kenner travelled across Pennsylvania to advocate for judges "associated with the left" during the that years elections.[8]
Kenner is an opinion contributor for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.[9] She was named to the 2024 Black Trailblazers list by City & State.[10] In 2024, she was named to the "150 Most Influential People in Philly" by Philadelphia.[11]
Kenner serves as co-chair of Why Courts Matter – Pennsylvania, an advocacy campaign seeking to protect judicial independence in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.[3][4] She has been active campaigning for the Democratic judges running for election and retention in the 2025 Pennsylvania elections.[2]
New Pennsylvania Project
[edit]In 2021, Kenner founded the New Pennsylvania Project; a nonprofit organization that works to register and turnout voters regardless of party, with a focus on people of color and young people.[12][13] The project was modeled after voter mobilization efforts like the New Georgia Project.[12][14][15] As of 2025, the organization has 65 part-time staff workers across the state.[2]
Personal life
[edit]Kenner lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3][4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Born in Pittsburgh but Philly burbs raised". Twitter. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Mychalejko, Cyril (March 3, 2025). "Interview: Kadida Kenner on Defending Democracy and Voting Rights in Pennsylvania". Bucks County Beacon. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Kadida Kenner". New Pennsylvania Project. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ms. Kadida N. Kenner". Spotlight PA. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ a b Ford, Matt (December 7, 2021). "Six Heroic Defenders of Democracy". The New Republic. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ "Kadida Kenner Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center" (PDF). Pennsylvania Senate. January 18, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ Woodall, Candy (March 14, 2022). "Black Pa. voters delivered a Biden win in 2020. In 2022, they want 'receipts' for his work". York Daily Record. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ Siwy, Bruce (August 30, 2023). "How this election will shape Pennsylvania's highest courts". Erie Times-News. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ "Author". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Duncan, Jemille Q. (February 26, 2024). "The 2024 Black Trailblazers". City & State. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ "The 150 Most Influential People in Philly". Philadelphia. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ a b Gregg, Cherri (September 10, 2022). "New Pennsylvania Project works to get all voters engaged". WHYY. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ Ford, Matt (December 7, 2021). "Six Heroic Defenders of Democracy". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ Acevedo, Nicole (May 1, 2024). "How a post falsely claiming migrants are registering to vote spread to millions in four weeks". NBC News. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ Will, Bunch (July 22, 2021). "Is the Stacey Abrams method the only hope for saving democracy in PA?". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 17, 2025.