K. Kenneth Davis BS ’13 Applied Science and Technology

K. Kenneth Davis, also known as "The Trans Capitalist" (his brand & company), is a proud black transgender Forbe's List entrepreneur. As a Financial Literacy Activist and highly sought-after worldly financial coach, Kenneth is committed to educating and empowering the LGBTQ+ community, heavily focused on trans people of color, in the plight to end systemic poverty and economic discrimination in these communities. Here to help you defend yourself and oppressed marginalized communities against capitalism! In addition, he dedicates himself to challenging many financial rules, institutions, and taboos as they no longer work for our generation. He graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters of Science in Finance from Pace University Lubin's School of Business.

How did your experience at RIT prepare you for life and/or your career?
Please know - being transgender is not for the faint of heart; it is a long, difficult road that entails continuous adversity and obstacles. However, my experience at RIT prepared me immensely for my life and career due to the progressiveness, inclusivity, knowledge, support, and independence RIT provides to the LGBT community.
In addition, RIT provided me with the tools and skills I needed to transition for free, which is a rare gracious act in the transgender community. Furthermore, my experiences from RIT gave me the confidence I needed to live boldly in my truth.
Lastly, I thought like an engineer. Thinking like an engineer, translated outside of the classroom that was helpful in learning how to problem-solve the adversity and obstacles I faced to become my authentic self. I still use these skills today, especially for my business. Finally, RIT gave me the most important gift ever: hope.
For example, when I attended RIT, social media had just started (yes, I am that old, lol). Facebook was just beginning. As I discovered “me”, and being transgender, I learned there were no other individuals or people I could talk to about learning how to transition from female to male. RIT offered students free therapy, and I noticed no bullying or hate crimes against students who identified as LGBT, which is very important. I had a professor, who I still keep in contact with today, that went beyond the call of duty to help me feel comfortable and watched over me as if I were her child. With RIT giving me so much, my college experience genuinely helped mold me into the successful man I am today.

Share your favorite college memory.
My favorite college memory is one of the most defining moments in my life! I had never attended a drag show before coming to RIT. So little did I know that they hosted one each semester. I attended the show with my partner at the time because I was curious but felt safe surrounded by other LGBT students and performers. Then there is this handsome, confident guy performing, and the crowd falls silent and crazy with whispers because everyone is saying, "Did you know that he was a girl before?" That blew my mind because it let me know that you can transition from female to male. To give some context, most people see in the media transgender women, aka male to female. However, you rarely see transgender men (female to male). After that show, I ran back to my dorm as fast as possible because I then realized that being a lesbian was not for me. I felt something. I’m not gay. I’m transgender. I researched everything I could about the transgender community. I knew I must do this to save my life.
If it had not been for attending that RIT drag show, who knows what path my life would have taken. I am forever grateful for RIT.