Cultural Wealth Wednesday: Kennedy Sam
Sixteen years ago, Kennedy Sam moved to Waco from Chicago, Illinois. Growing up, she lived near Grant Park with its beautiful gardens and artwork. Nearby, the Aquarium, Planetarium, museums, and other cultural attractions helped shape her value for the arts. When asking Kennedy about the impact of her childhood, she shared the following, “as I look back and now find myself advocating for the contributions those institutions bring to a community, its undeniable that God’s hand was in motion aligning my life experiences and values, preparing me all along to work in my community supporting the arts."
Kennedy is a proud product of Waco ISD, graduating from Waco High School. She was actively involved in school organizations and the community through Girl Scouts, Jack & Jill of America Inc., National Charity League, Teen Leadership Waco, and Waco Symphony Belles. She is particularly proud of being the first Black Cotton Palace Princess. Each of these experiences allowing her to build strong relationships and mentors across the community, many of whom she gets to work alongside today through partnerships with the City, neighborhood associations, nonprofits, and other organizations in support of the arts.
Following her graduation from Louisiana State University with a degree in mass communication, Kennedy admits to not having had any plans to return to Waco and, at that point, had only been home for short visits. However, on the visits, she saw Waco changing, but did not know the extent of investments that were being made until being introduced to Fiona Bond, Executive Director of Creative Waco. “I was so excited about the direction the city was taking and wanted to contribute.” Soon after their meeting, Kennedy was offered the Director of Marketing and Communications position with Creative Waco. Through the support of local leadership, foundations, and businesses, Waco is working towards more equitable access to resources and opportunities so that all Wacoans can rise together. Creative Waco plays an essential role in supporting those efforts by championing the arts, providing opportunities for diverse cultural expressions, and in beautifying our shared space.
Kennedy shared that she sees her work with Creative Waco as an intersection of her values and faith, "to whom much is given, much is required." As someone who has spent most of their life here and returned in the middle of a season of growth, she’s grateful for an opportunity to pour back into a community that has poured and invested so much into her. In asking Kennedy what does she love most about Waco, she excitedly references the people. “As a young Waco transplant, I grew up here with no immediate family in Texas. Throughout the years, my church members became extended grandparents, family friends became aunts, and uncles and classmates became siblings and cousins. Waco is just that type of community where everyone is connected one way or another, and if not, they will create a way to be connected. I have seen this caring spirit on display in the philanthropic nature of the community and even more during this pandemic with neighbors looking out for each other and rallying in support of keeping local creatives and businesses alive.”
A dog mom to Bleu, Kennedy enjoys cooking and is an aspiring weekend DIYer when she’s not advocating for the arts. This Cultural Wealth Wednesday, we are grateful for Kennedy’s mother, Josette Ayers, who contributed to Kennedy’s recognition for being a Solid Gold Neighbor. We are even more thankful to Kennedy for the work she is doing to advance Cultural Wealth within Waco through the arts. Waco is better because of you!