Meet Kidd Kong | Kidd Kong | Founder and Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kidd Kong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kidd, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Based on how bad you really want it. If you are doing it to just pay the bills then there is a stopping point, when thing things get hard. But if you’ve made it your lifelong goal and dream then there is no stopping and giving up.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am in the youth development business. I create youth programs that are used by schools, aftter school programs, rec centers, etc.

Partnerships that I have include schools, After school providers, recreation centers, etc.

The Mission of the KidKong Association (KKA) is to change the trajectory of the lives of at-risk youth by instilling proven and effective methods of anger management.

Our main program right now is a boxing program. The program teaches students techniques, the “Rules of the Ring,” and mental acuity. As a byproduct of boxing training students are developing key anger management principals such as personal empowerment and respect of self and others.

Currently we have our boxing program in over 20 schools nationwide.

The KidKong Association is unique because there are not a lot of people doing what I am doing. Creating program geared towards the inner city kid.

In addition to our boxing program we are currently working on several other programs that will be rolled out this upcoming year.

What I am the most proud of: I have dedicated my life to working with youth for the last 15 years. It is my purpose. I am most proud of the fact that I my programs create a real change in the life of students. When I go into a school and student comes up to me and says that they have left a gang because of boxing, because of KKA, there is nothing that makes me feel prouder. I am also proud of the fact that me and my team has been able to grow a little program to where it is today in 20+ schools nationwide and growing.

How did I get to where I am:
I got where i am today through a lot of sacrifice and a lot of struggle and being very determined. When everyone though working with kids was just a hobby, I kept working, when everyone thought I was wasting my time with these kids who would never change, I kept working. When people said that you need to get a real job. I believed in the vision that God showed me and kept working.

Before partnering with schools, afterschool programs, etc. I would go to schools and bring trainers to the schools to train students and pay the trainers out of my pocket. At one time I was going to several schools a week providing boxing training for free to the schools, but I was paying the trainers and buying the boxing equipment out of my pocket. Actually, not only was I paying the trainers and buying the equipment, I was also picking the trainers up and taking them to the schools. And if we had two or three schools at the same time I would drop trainers off and then pick them up.

And years before my program being in the schools. I would pick up a group of students and everyone would pile into my Ford Explorer and I would take a group of boys over to the gym to train. Again, paying for their training session. and Picking up and dropping off each boy.

For me it has always been more than making money or having a successful business. For me it has been about being effective and really changing lives. I see so much promise in the youth I work with and want to help equip them with tools to be successful in life.

Was it easy? Hell no! There were so many times I wanted to quit. Times that I would take the last bit of money that I had to pay the trainer to train a school. Times that I barely had enough gas to get the trainers to and from each school. Its been a very difficult journey but a rewarding journey.

How I overcome the challenges: Through my faith in God. There was and still are new challenges everyday. But through Gods direction I am able to overcome each challenge.

Lessons learned along the way: Trust God. Trust yourself. Never quit, even when thing get hard. Remind yourself that you are going to have to work regardless it might as well be for yourself.

I want the world to know: That I am where I am because of God. That I dont have quit in me. I dont take no for an answer. That I strive to stay creative and am always looking at ways to create the best programs. That I have dedicated my life to serving youth people.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I dont go out much. I am on the grind. Every now and then my wife and I go out to eat. But for the most part I am working in my lab.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to first give a shoutout to God for everything that he brought me through. Those lessons have given me the knowledge needed to sustain where I am.

My wife who has supported me through all the ups and downs, believing in me and encouraging me to move forward.

My trainers who have been with me from the beginning. In those early days they worked hard and where always there even when I had very little to pay them.

My first official after school partner who took a chance on my program and put it in their schools.

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