Kenny Grady
Mister Pride of WV 2007-2008
Prior to winning the title of Mr. West Virginia Pride, Kenny Grady began his career after graduating from Point Pleasant High School and the Huntington School of Beauty. He has been a stylist for twenty-four years and has obtained many prestigious honors, including; becoming a member of the Redken Compass Cutting Team – an honor given to only twenty-five selected stylists nationwide. He was also chosen to be a stylist for the National Football League’s Houston Oilers’ cheerleading squad located in Houston, Texas.
Kenny has directed and/or judged many pageants across the tri-state area for the past 15 years, including the America system, where he has worked alongside twelve former Miss America winners. According to Kenny, this is where his dream of becoming Mr. West Virginia Pride started to take form. “A former Miss America and I had discussed my running for Mr. Pride. I have always believed in equal rights within the gay community and of being proud of who I am. So, I wanted to be a role model for our entire community to inspire others to be proud of who they are.” When speaking of his reign as Mr. West Virginia Pride, Kenny says, “The acclamation I have received from becoming Mr. Pride has been a very humbling experience. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to travel across the wonderful state of West Virginia and meet a wide variety of caring and giving people.”
Throughout his reign, Kenny has raised awareness and money for a number of organizations, especially WV Pride and Covenant House (the beneficiaries of his self-hosted “White Party 2007” in Charleston, WV). “My main objective as Mr. Pride has been to raise money and awareness for a variety of charities, as well as sending a message to the community of strongly believing in yourself. A lot of people ask me where my inspiration comes from and I have to say the people of West Virginia – both gay and straight – have been my inspiration. I hope I have inspired them to dream, to conquer the impossible, and to go the distance. All I can hope is that I have inspired them as much as they have inspired me,” says your Mr. West Virginia Pride 2007, Kenny Grady.
Upon meeting Mr Kenny Grady, I have to say he is one of a kind. A genuine soul and a good hearted man. We need more guys like him. We hope that his career continues in the LGBT community because he has become an inspiration to all who meet him. Congrats !
bravenet.com