Tiger Heritage Spotlight:
Kenny Everett BS '69

Kenneth "Kenny" Everett BS ’69 established the groundwork for his career as a business administration student at RIT, where he was immersed in a co-op at the company that would later become his life-long employer – IBM. After graduating from RIT and pursuing his master’s degree in higher education at Syracuse University, Kenny relocated to Atlanta, G.A. and officially joined IBM full time. Ken’s drive for networking, helping others and continuous self-improvement bolstered his success at work and opened doors to a wide array of opportunities. He spent many years as a volunteer counselor with the Grady Hospital Rape Crisis Center and served as a Hotlanta International Salsa Congress partner. Today, after a prosperous 40-year tenure at IBM, Kenny is retired and participates in Toastmasters International, an organization dedicated to helping members enhance their leadership and communication skills.

Kenny recently shared his experiences and insights regarding success, student empowerment, and the significance of Black History Month.

What led you to RIT?

I attended SUNY Cobleskill from 1965 to 1967, earning my AAS degree in accounting. Cobleskill is located in the Catskills Mountains area and is highly regarded for its focus on agricultural programs. In 1967, the student population was comprised of approximately 2,500; out of that, the Black population consisted of two girls, eight boys and, two faculty members. This was during the civil rights era when racial tensions were high. After experiencing discrimination, unfair treatment, and resentment, it only made me, even more, intent on earning my college degree. 

I transferred to RIT in 1967 as a junior. I was attracted to RIT for its recognized business curriculum and Rochester gave me the city environment I was looking for. At that time, RIT’s campus was in downtown Rochester.

Who influenced you most during your time at RIT – friends/faculty? Staff?

Since the RIT campus was in downtown Rochester, knowing how many people of color attended the college was difficult. I began to develop friendships with Black students I met in my classes, study halls, and the cafeteria. 

How would you interpret the campus climate in 1967 for Black students?

Racial tensions and unrest were very high across the U.S. Many Blacks were facing that same tension and discrimination on a college campus. That being said, it was also a time that we (both Black and white) were “coming into our own” and we were ready to make a difference. Many of us witnessed the unjust treatment of our family members and we just wanted it to stop! We were ready for action. Remember – this was during the Civil Rights era, the drafting of young men into the Vietnam War, Women’s Rights, and voting rights were key issues, resulting in widespread rioting and protesting throughout the country. And then a “pimple” popped…Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968.

I remember being in class and white students were shouting for joy and my friend and I did not know what was being “celebrated”. Confused, I noticed two or three of my other friends trying to get my attention from out in the hall, frantically waving me and my friend out of class. We quietly walked out and learned that Dr. King was dead. Assassinated. In the weeks to come, Black students from college campuses in the greater Rochester area met (RIT, St. John Fisher College, Nazareth College, and the University of Rochester) and formed an organization called Greater Rochester Afro-American Student Society (GRASS). Our goal was to organize Black Student Unions on every campus and demand equal rights.

As a Black student at RIT and part of a city-wide consortium, GRASS, what led to the formation of the Black Awareness Coordinating Committee (BACC)?

With the move to the Henrietta campus in 1968, we found that there were about 32 black students; some lived on campus, while others commuted or lived in married student housing.  Of the many courses taught at RIT, there were no Black studies or diversity courses, very few faculty of color, and limited resources or assistance for people of color. Black students experienced racism and bias from white students, faculty, and the administration who were oblivious to Black culture and what it meant to be a Black student at a predominantly white campus (PWI).

We began by holding secret meetings in lounges and the cafeteria and formed our own Black Student Union, which we called the Black Awareness Coordinating Committee - BACC. I was elected the first president, my classmate and friend, Gil Whisnant AAS ’72, was elected to succeed me.

The ideologies and political theories from the NAACP, Black Panther Party, the Black Muslims, and others played a large part in helping us develop our demands for more Black students, Black studies programs, Black faculty, and more financial aid. Luckily we had an RIT staff person as an ally, who served as the group’s advisor for many years, Evelyn Brandon.

The administration was open to hearing our concerns and willing to work with us to implement change. Some changes were implemented the following year.

How did your RIT education/experience prepare you for life post-RIT?

In 1969, I graduated with a BS in business administration. I continued my graduate education at Syracuse University, earning my master’s in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education. I’m proud to say that I was the first Black student to graduate from that program. Following my graduate studies and thanks to my accounting co-op while an RIT student, I was offered a full-time job with IBM in Atlanta. I worked at a location with 250 employees, only eight of whom were Black. I felt like I was back at RIT. 

While forming the BACC and protesting at RIT, Black students never lost sight of what we were there for – to get an education. The desire to be successful, to be a role model, and to make an impact carried over when I joined IBM in 1971. My tenure at IBM lasted over 38 years and I experienced eight different career paths.

What advice would you have for your 18-24-year-old self?

Practice delayed gratification: “the ability to postpone an immediate gain in favor of greater and later reward.” Don’t do something stupid. When making decisions, remember your choices have consequences (good or bad) and do the thing that will be most beneficial to you in the future—not just what feels good right now.

2019 marked the 50th Anniversary of BACC – what was it like coming back to campus?

I was amazed at how things have changed, how the campus has grown in the five decades since the Henrietta campus was established, and I was proud to be the only Black person standing among the graduates of 50 years ago at the Golden Circle Celebration. I was so happy to be sitting at a table with the other founding members of the BACC. I was elated that President Munson and the administration recognized BACC’s accomplishments at both the Golden Circle Celebration Luncheon and later that evening at the annual Presidents’ Alumni Ball. 

At the BACC Reunion ceremony, the announcement about the unveiling of the Frederick Douglas sculpture, storyboards, and four flags being installed in the Student Alumni Union was gratifying beyond belief.

For those who do not know much about BACC, what are some key things you would like readers to know?

During that time, it was widely held that there was a conspiracy among students at colleges and universities to commit violence for the ideologies and philosophies around civil rights and the war in Vietnam. We knew we were being watched, but we never took our eye off the prize—we were there to get an education. Our parents sacrificed so much so that we could go to college and be successful. Our parents wanted us to get further than they had in life. The founding fathers and mothers of BACC were united around a cause—Black Awareness Coordinated by a Committee of students—who were seeking to enlighten the world through our dedicated contribution at RIT. We are so proud of the Black students who have continued to carry the torch of BACC for over 50 years. 

What significance does Black History Month hold for you?

Last year, my daughter and I visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of the American Indian and got a greater perspective on how significant it is to have an annual observance in the United States.

Black History Month is an opportunity to understand Black histories, by going beyond stories of racism and slavery to recognizing Black achievements.

On a personal level, I have such a sense of pride knowing that I was a part of the struggle for freedom by my contribution to the creation of BACC at RIT.

Fun fact(s) about yourself?

I have a black belt in karate; I have salsa danced in Canada, Mexico, France, and Spain, and I have been a member of Toastmasters (an international communication, public speaking, and leadership club) for over 30 years.