Ken Nwadike Jr. Explained

Ken Nwadike Jr.
Birth Date:29 December 1981
Birth Place:San Diego, California, United States
Occupation:
Pseudonym:Free Hugs Guy
Subscribers:224,000 subscribers
Subscriber Date:January 15, 2024
Views:55 million views
View Date:January 15, 2024
Network:Studio71
Silver Year:2018
Years Active:2014–present
Silver Button:yes

Kenneth E. Nwadike Jr. is an American documentary filmmaker, motivational speaker, and peace activist popularly known as the "Free Hugs Guy".[1] Ken is the founder of the Free Hugs Project. His "Free Hugs" videos have reached hundreds of millions of views on Facebook and YouTube.[2]

Career

In 2014, Nwadike launched the Free Hugs Project with the stated purpose of spreading love in response to the bombing of the Boston Marathon. The Free Hugs Project gained popularity in 2016, as Nwadike made major news headlines for his efforts towards de-escalation of violence during protests, riots, and political rallies.[3] Nwadike was featured in Google's 2016 Year in Search video as a highlight among some of the year's most defining moments.[4] Nwadike has made many appearances on news programs and radio broadcasts worldwide, including CNN, USA Today, Good Morning Britain, and BBC News.

Nwadike is the President and CEO of Superhero Events, LLC, which produces the annual Hollywood Half Marathon. The marathon, held each spring in Hollywood, California, with the purpose of raising funds for local homeless youth shelters.[5]

On March 30, 2016, Nwadike released the controversial "Donald Trump Rally Free Hugs vs Bernie Sanders Rally Free Hugs" video to his "Free Hugs Project" channels on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.[6] The video became a viral hit and his #MakeAmericaLoveAgain hashtag became a trending topic on Facebook and Twitter.[7] Nwadike's "Free Hugs" videos have reached hundreds of millions views on Facebook and YouTube.[8]

During Super Bowl LIV, Ken Nwadike was featured in the Budweiser Super Bowl 2020 commercial titled, "Typical American" which showcases “the extraordinary people that represent the best of America.” [9] [10]

Occupations

As a motivational speaker, Ken details his former homelessness and states that he overcame insecurities by getting involved in extracurricular activities in school. The support, he says, he received from coaches, teammates, and friends while playing sports and participating in student government activities, helped pave the way for Ken to start a number of businesses and a charitable organization that helps homeless teens.[11]

The Free Hugs Project is a program conducted at workplaces and colleges, designed to bridge racial divides and encourage civility.[12]

In October 2017, Nwadike filed with the Federal Election Commission to run for President of the United States in the 2020 election.[13] He later withdrew from the race.[14]

Live appearances

Aside from YouTube and Facebook videos, Nwadike has appeared on worldwide news programs and radio broadcasts.

Awards and nominations

YearNominatedAwardResult
2017Ken E. Nwadike, Jr.Most-Admired Public Leader in San Diego[21]
2017Ken E. Nwadike, Jr.Simeon Booker Award for Courage
2017Ken E. Nwadike, Jr.Citizen Achievement Award

Filmography

Year! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
TitleRoleNotes
2016Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race & AmericaHimselfNetflix Documentary
2017The L.A. Riots: 25 Years Later[22] HimselfHistory Channel Documentary
2020Called to the Front Lines[23] HimselfDocumentary

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Man Offers Hugs At Trump And Sanders Rallies, Asks Which America We Want. The Huffington Post. March 31, 2016. March 31, 2016.
  2. News: Deaderick . Lisa . May 7, 2016 . Making the world better, a hug at a time . The San Diego Union-Tribune . May 8, 2016 .
  3. News: Peterson . Karla . October 31, 2016 . In failing the homeless, San Diego stands apart . The San Diego Union-Tribune . October 31, 2016 . November 2, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161102164144/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/people/sd-me-ken-hugs-20161011-htmlstory.html . dead .
  4. News: Tremelling . Miriam . December 21, 2016 . Google's 'Year in Search 2016' connects with message of hope . Campaign US . December 21, 2016 .
  5. Web site: Hollywood Half Marathon. NBC Los Angeles. April 5, 2012. April 5, 2012.
  6. Web site: Free Hugs Project shows difference between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump rallies. AM New York. March 31, 2016. March 31, 2016.
  7. Web site: Here's What Happens When You Ask for a Hug at a Trump Rally Versus a Sanders Rally. Yahoo News. April 2, 2016. April 2, 2016.
  8. News: Deaderick . Lisa . May 7, 2016 . Making the world better, a hug at a time . The San Diego Union-Tribune . May 8, 2016 .
  9. Web site: Fox 13 Salt Lake City. Fox 13. February 1, 2020. February 1, 2020.
  10. Web site: Ad Age. Ad Age. January 23, 2020. January 23, 2020.
  11. Web site: Peace Activist / Motivational Speaker. Free Hugs Project. October 1, 2016. October 1, 2016.
  12. Web site: Peace Activist / Motivational Speaker. Free Hugs Project. October 1, 2016. October 1, 2016.
  13. Web site: FEC FORM 2. October 18, 2017. Kenneth E.. Nwadike. Federal Election Commission. July 31, 2018.
  14. Web site: About Ken E. Nwadike, Jr.. Kenny 2020 . April 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190427154815/https://kennwadikejr.com/ken-nwadike-jr/. April 27, 2019. live.
  15. Web site: Formerly Homeless Man Directs Race to Benefit Local Shelters. NBC 4 Los Angeles. April 4, 2012. April 4, 2012.
  16. Web site: 'Free Hugs' man wants to make America LOVE again with free hugs. Pix 11 News New York. April 5, 2016. April 5, 2016.
  17. Web site: 'Free Hugs' guy brings project to San Diego. Fox 5 San Diego. May 23, 2016. May 23, 2016.
  18. Web site: Time to celebrate Free Hugs Friday!. ITV Good Morning Britain. September 16, 2016. September 16, 2016.
  19. Web site: Activist hands out 'Free Hugs' amid violent protests in Charlotte. CNN . September 23, 2016. September 23, 2016.
  20. Web site: San Diego 'Free Hugs guy' Ken Nwadike Jr. gets Super Bowl commercial. Fox 5 San Diego . January 24, 2020. January 24, 2020.
  21. Web site: Murphy . Nelson . The Malin Burnham Awards - Vote for the Most Admired Leaders in San Diego . MNM Communications . April 24, 2017 . June 5, 2017.
  22. Web site: Kenneth Nwadike. 2020-09-16. IMDb.
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9065248/

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