Kenneth E. Nwadike Jr. is an American documentary filmmaker,

motivational speaker A motivational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. Such speakers may attempt to challenge or transform their audiences. The speech itself is popularly known as a pep talk. Motivational speakers ca ...

, and peace activist popularly known as the "Free Hugs Guy". Ken is the founder of the Free Hugs Project. His "Free Hugs" videos have reached hundreds of millions of views on Facebook and YouTube.

Career

In 2014, Nwadike launched the Free Hugs Project with the stated purpose of spreading love in response to the

bombing A bomb is an explosive weapon that uses the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy. Detonations inflict damage principally through ground- and atmosphere-transmitted mechanica ...

of the

Boston Marathon The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon race hosted by several cities and towns in greater Boston in eastern Massachusetts, United States. It is traditionally held on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897, the event was i ...

. 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. Nwadike was featured in Google's 2016 Year in Search video as a highlight among some of the year's most defining moments. 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 Hollywood Half Marathon is an annual road running event over the half marathon distance 21.0975 kilometres (13.1094 mi), which is held each spring in Hollywood, California. The race was inaugurated in 2012 and has been held every year since ...

. The marathon, held each spring in

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywood, ...

, California, with the purpose of raising funds for local homeless youth shelters. 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. The video became a viral hit and his #MakeAmericaLoveAgain hashtag became a trending topic on Facebook and Twitter. Nwadike's "Free Hugs" videos have reached hundreds of millions views on Facebook and YouTube. 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.”

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. The Free Hugs Project is a program conducted at workplaces and colleges, designed to bridge racial divides and encourage civility. In October 2017, Nwadike filed with the Federal Election Commission to run for President of the United States in the

2020 election This national electoral calendar for 2020 lists the national/federal elections held in 2020 in all sovereign states and their dependent territories. By-elections are excluded, though national referendums are included. January *5 January: **Cro ...

. He later withdrew from the race.

Live appearances

Aside from YouTube and Facebook videos, Nwadike has appeared on worldwide news programs and radio broadcasts. * April 4, 2012 – Nwadike was featured on an

NBC 4 Los Angeles KNBC (channel 4) is a television station in Los Angeles, California, United States, serving as the West Coast flagship of the NBC network. It is owned and operated by the network's NBC Owned Television Stations division alongside Corona-li ...

special, titled, Life Connected. * April 5, 2016 – Nwadike interview with Pix 11 news to share why he launched the Free Hugs Project. * March 23, 2016 – Free Hugs Guy interviewed live on set during the Fox 5 San Diego morning show to discuss the Free Hugs Project and give hugs to news anchors. * September 16, 2016 – Ken teams up with the hosts of Good Morning Britain in London to launch Free Hugs Friday. * September 23, 2016 – Nwadike was interviewed live on CNN with Poppy Harlow after Charlotte Protests. * January 24, 2020 - Ken Nwadike visited Fox 5 San Diego to discuss inclusion in the Budweiser Super Bowl 2020 commercial.

Awards and nominations

Filmography

References

External links

*
Free Hugs Project Official Website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Nwadike, Ken Jr. Living people 1981 births American motivational speakers American sports businesspeople YouTubers from San Diego American activists of Nigerian descent American nonviolence advocates American anti-poverty advocates African-American activists Activists from California African-American Christians American philanthropists California Democrats Candidates in the 2020 United States presidential election African-American candidates for President of the United States 20th-century African-American people