Kenneth L. Hardin

Kenneth L. (Kenny) Hardin is the Founder of both the Veterans Social Center and serves as the Executive Board Chairman of The High Road, Inc. 

He was born and raised in Salisbury, N.C.  He honorably served as a Staff Sergeant for six years 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 Marksmanship Ribbon, 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 2020 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 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 and Patient Experience/Satisfaction initiatives.  

Kenny is a much-requested motivational speaker and has lectured at local Colleges, HBCU’s, 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 writer for over 20 years with articles appearing in the Charlotte Post, the Salisbury Post and Black owned newspapers in Florida and Georgia.  

Kenny has given over three decades of public and community service extending from working on neighborhood development projects, community/social activism, fighting  against drugs and gangs in communities, to working with at-risk youth. In 2013, he co-founded a free after school Literacy program aimed at low-income 3rd-5th graders that operated for six years. The nonprofit organization, the Tsunami Development Literacy Program, was designed to assist students with improving reading comprehension skills. The Program was such a success, it was recognized and supported by local philanthropists, the County Commission and received a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award.

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.

Kenny is a proud father of three sons, a grandfather to an energetic grandson and is owned by an awesome rescue dog.