Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendell Walker.
Hi Kendell, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am Kendell J Walker, born April 8th, 1996, in Mobile, Alabama, and raised in Jackson, Tennessee. I come from a very loving, supportive, and athletic family. My parents were both standouts in high school sports, with my mother winning a state championship in track and my father breaking records and owning the court in basketball. As of today, my parents have been married for 33 years and counting. My parents, brother, and family have been the backbone of my success, who I am, and the man I have become today. I have a younger brother, and we share the same birthday. We are 3 years apart, and he is the reason for a lot of my success. He doesn’t know it, but with him being my younger brother, it has challenged me and pushed me to new heights. My love for the game of basketball came at a very young age. My father was my main inspiration for that. Following in his footsteps, I was a standout basketball player in high school, just like he was, and received many scholarship offers. I even chose Morehouse College to continue my academic and athletic career, just like he did. When I graduated in May of 2019, I began teaching and schooling just like he did. I have been coaching for the last 6 years, and what a wild ride it has been. I have a deep love for helping children and giving back to my community in whatever ways I can. I want to be the change I so desperately want to see in the community and with our young children. I thank God for everything I have been through and everything I am!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not a smooth road at all. I have dealt with life-altering injuries and surgeries while playing sports. I had heart surgery in my junior year of high school. I have had 2 knee surgeries in college, along with other issues. I tore my Achilles in January of last year and am still recovering from that. I also know that my pride and my self-expectations have caused struggle in my life. I don’t like asking for help or seeking help from others. I have learned that this is not the best way to handle things, but I put so much pressure on myself to be the best at whatever I am doing that asking for help sometimes seems pointless. I feel like people can’t relate to me or will not see the vision I see, so I rarely ask. I think this stemmed from my parents and family being so heavily involved in my life. For example, my father was the assistant principal at Munford High School when I attended in 9th and 10th grade. While I was there, I had a 3.7 GPA, and I was also the starting point guard on the varsity team. I would often have students, teachers, and other people in the community question my ability as a student and athlete. This would further fuel my obsession to leave no doubt about my success, but it would also be the reason I was and still am so hard on myself. I take failure very personally, and sometimes that has caused more struggle in my life than it should have. But my support system and God are the greatest. I have been able to overcome a lot in my life and will continue to do so with the help of my family and God.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a teacher and head boys’ basketball coach. I specialize in teaching business and computer classes but recently have started teaching special education. I am known for being a personable, caring, stern, and goal-oriented man. I mean what I say and say what I mean. I think I am most proud of the impact on people and my ability to connect with them. I am the standard for some people that have met me because of the way I carry myself and conduct business. So the fact that I have people of all ages who hold me in such high regard is nothing short of a blessing to me. I feel my relatability, life experiences, empathy, and logic set me apart from others. I tell people what they need to hear and not what they want to hear. I will say, my way of thinking is not for everyone. I connect well with people, and I am a great listener.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I think that covered it
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendell_skywalker/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendell-walker-278a69147/
Image Credits
Naomi Culinary Creations
April Sykes-SlushPro
