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Ser Amantio di Nicolao: Removing from Category:African-American activists (parent category) using Cat-a-lot

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Removing from Category:African-American activists (parent category) using Cat-a-lot

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{{Infobox YouTube personality
| name = Ken Nwadike Jr.
| image = Ken-E-Nwadike-Jr-motivational-speaker.jpg
| alt = Free Hugs Guy
| caption = Nwadike in 2017
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|12|29}}
| birth_place = [[San Diego, California]], United States
| occupation = {{plainlist|
* [[Motivational speaking|Inspirational Speaker]]
* [[Filmmaking|Filmmaker]]
* [[Activism|Activist]]
}}
| website = {{URL|FreeHugsProject.com}}
| pseudonym = Free Hugs Guy
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Motivational speaking|Motivation]]
* [[Random Acts of Kindness]]
* [[Social Justice]]
}}
| subscribers = 104,476 subscribers | subscriber_date = 23rd September 2018
| views = 8.1 million views | view_date = 23rd September 2018
| network = [[Studio 71|Studio71]]
| associated_acts =
| silver_year = 2018
| years_active= 2014–Present
| silver_button = yes
}}
'''Kenneth E. "Ken" Nwadike Jr.''' is an American [[Documentary film|documentary]] [[Filmmaking|filmmaker]], [[Motivational speaking|motivational speaker]], and [[peace activist]] popularly known as the '''Free Hugs Guy'''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Man Offers Hugs At Trump And Sanders Rallies, Asks Which America We Want|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/free-hugs-project-bernie-trump-rally-video_us_56fc40eee4b083f5c606a4ff|website=The Huffington Post|accessdate=31 March 2016|date=31 March 2016}} </ref> Ken is the founder of the '''Free Hugs Project'''. His "Free Hugs" videos have reached hundreds of millions of views on [[Facebook]] and [[YouTube]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Deaderick |first=Lisa |date=7 May 2016 |title=Making the world better, a hug at a time |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/may/07/ken-nwadike-free-hugs-project/ |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune |location= |accessdate=8 May 2016 }}</ref>

==Career==
In 2014, Nwadike launched the Free Hugs Project to spread love in response to the bombing of the Boston Marathon. The Free Hugs Project gained popularity in 2016, as Nwadike made major news headlines for his peacekeeping efforts and de-escalation of violence during protests, riots, and political rallies.<ref>{{cite news |last=Peterson |first=Karla |date=31 October 2016 |title=In failing the homeless, San Diego stands apart |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/people/sd-me-ken-hugs-20161011-htmlstory.html |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune |location= |accessdate=31 October 2016 }}</ref> Nwadike was featured in Google's 2016 Year in Search video as a highlight among some of the year's most defining moments.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tremelling |first=Miriam |date=21 December 2016 |title=Google's 'Year in Search 2016' connects with message of hope |url=http://www.campaignlive.com/article/googles-year-search-2016-connects-message-hope/1419337 |newspaper=Campaign US |location= |accessdate=21 December 2016 }}</ref> 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]]. The marathon, held each spring in [[Hollywood]], [[California]] to raise funds for local homeless youth shelters.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hollywood Half Marathon|url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/events/Hollywood-Half-Marathon-146201025.html|website=NBC Los Angeles|accessdate=5 April 2012|date=5 April 2012}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Free Hugs Project shows difference between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump rallies|url=http://www.amny.com/news/elections/free-hugs-project-shows-difference-between-bernie-sanders-and-donald-trump-rallies-1.11639468|website=AM New York|accessdate=31 March 2016|date=31 March 2016}}</ref> The video became a viral hit and his #MakeAmericaLoveAgain hashtag became a trending topic on Facebook and Twitter.<ref>{{cite web|title=Here's What Happens When You Ask for a Hug at a Trump Rally Versus a Sanders Rally|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/heres-happens-ask-hug-trump-193100859.html|website=Yahoo News|accessdate=2 April 2016|date=2 April 2016}}</ref> Nwadike's "Free Hugs" videos have reached hundreds of millions of views on [[Facebook]] and [[YouTube]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Deaderick |first=Lisa |date=7 May 2016 |title=Making the world better, a hug at a time |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/may/07/ken-nwadike-free-hugs-project/ |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune |location= |accessdate=8 May 2016 }}</ref>

===Motivational speaker===
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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Peace Activist / Motivational Speaker|url=http://www.freehugsproject.com/motivational-speaker/|website=Free Hugs Project|accessdate=1 October 2016|date=1 October 2016}}</ref>

The Free Hugs Project is a program conducted at workplaces and colleges. Nwadike converses with students and employees during small group discussions. His visit concludes with a keynote address. He has stated that his program intends to promote unity, civility and to bridge the racial divide and to build a more diverse and inclusive culture.<ref>{{cite web|title=Peace Activist / Motivational Speaker|url=http://www.freehugsproject.com/motivational-speaker/|website=Free Hugs Project|accessdate=1 October 2016|date=1 October 2016}}</ref>

In October 2017, Nwadike filed with the [[Federal Election Commission]] to run for [[President of the United States]] in the [[United States presidential election, 2020|2020 election]], seeking the nomination of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/394/201710190300178394/201710190300178394.pdf|title=FEC FORM 2|date=October 18, 2017|first=Kenneth E.|last=Nwadike|work=[[Federal Election Commission]]|accessdate=July 31, 2018}}</ref>

==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]] special, titled, Life Connected.<ref>{{cite web|title=Formerly Homeless Man Directs Race to Benefit Local Shelters|url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Hollywood-Marathon-Homeless-Shelters--146030615.html|website=NBC 4 Los Angeles|accessdate=4 April 2012|date=4 April 2012}}</ref>
* April 5, 2016 - Nwadike interview with [[Pix 11]] news to share why he launched the Free Hugs Project.<ref>{{cite web|title=‘Free Hugs’ man wants to make America LOVE again with free hugs|url=https://www.facebook.com/AndrewRamosTV/videos/501945523330323/|website=Pix 11 News New York|accessdate=5 April 2016|date=5 April 2016}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=‘Free Hugs’ guy brings project to San Diego|url=http://fox5sandiego.com/2016/05/23/free-hugs-man-brings-project-to-san-diego/|website=Fox 5 San Diego|accessdate=23 May 2016|date=23 May 2016}}</ref>
* September 16, 2016 - Ken teams up with the hosts of Good Morning Britain in London to launch Free Hugs Friday.<ref>{{cite web|title=Time to celebrate Free Hugs Friday!|url=http://www.itv.com/goodmorningbritain/entertainment/time-to-celebrate-free-hugs-friday|website=ITV Good Morning Britain|accessdate=16 September 2016|date=16 September 2016}}</ref>
* September 23, 2016 - Nwadike was interviewed live on CNN with Poppy Harlow after Charlotte Protests. <ref>{{cite web|title=Activist hands out 'Free Hugs' amid violent protests in Charlotte|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/22/us/ken-nwadike-free-hugs-poppy-harlow-cnn-newsroom/|website=CNN |accessdate=23 September 2016|date=23 September 2016}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Year
!Nominated
!Award
!Result
|-
| 2017
| Ken E. Nwadike, Jr.
| [[Reality Changers|Most-Admired Public Leader in San Diego]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Nelson |title=The Malin Burnham Awards - Vote for the Most Admired Leaders in San Diego |url=http://www.mnmadpr.com/news-blog/april-04th-2017/|website=MNM Communications |date=April 24, 2017 |accessdate=June 5, 2017}}</ref>
| {{Won}}
|-
| 2017
| Ken E. Nwadike, Jr.
| [[Simeon Booker|Simeon Booker Award for Courage]]
| {{Won}}
|-
| 2017
| Ken E. Nwadike, Jr.
| [[Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department|Citizen Achievement Award]]
| {{Won}}
|}

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Film
! scope="col" style="width:1em;"| Year
! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:19em;"| Role
! scope="col" style="width:22em;"| Notes
|-
|2016
|''Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race & America''
|Himself
| [[Netflix]] Documentary
|-
|2017
|''The L.A. Riots: 25 Years Later''<ref>https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8908462/</ref>
|Himself
| [[History (U.S. TV channel)|History Channel]] Documentary
|-
|2019
|''Anarchy: Standing Between Police and Antifa''<ref>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9065248/</ref>
|Himself
| Documentary
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* [https://www.buzzfeed.com/mrloganrhoades/this-man-giving-free-hugs-at-the-boston-marathon-is-wonderfu ''This Man Giving 'Free Hugs' At The Boston Marathon Is Wonderfully Uplifting - Buzzfeed']
* [http://www.vibe.com/2016/04/free-hugs-project-at-donald-trump-rallies/ ''Reactions That A Free Hugs Campaign Advocate Received At Donald Trump And Bernie Sanders’ Rallies Are Glaring- Vibe Magazine'']
* [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3531824/I-don-t-want-drugs-Trump-supporters-Wisconsin-responded-black-man-offering-free-HUGS.html ''How Trump supporters in Wisconsin responded to the 'Free Hugs Guy' - DailyMail.com'']
* [http://college.usatoday.com/2016/03/31/makeamericaloveagain-brings-free-hugs-to-political-rallies/ "#MakeAmericaLoveAgain brings Free Hugs Project to political rallies - USA Today College"]
* [http://thegrio.com/2014/04/24/boston-marathon-supporter-offered-runners-free-hugs/ ''Boston Marathon supporter offered runners free hugs - NBC The Grio'']
* [https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-03-31/at-trump-rally-man-offers-free-hugs-gets-racism/ "At Trump Rally, Man Offers Free Hugs, Gets Racism - USNews.com"]
* [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/humankind/2016/10/20/when-he-couldnt-run-marathon-he-gave-out-free-hugs-instead/91997254 "When he couldn't run a marathon, he gave out hugs instead - USA Today"]
* [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37450401 "Spreading the peace among protests in North Carolina - BBC News"]
==External links==
* {{YouTube|c=UCn9bExO23JNSYiQSTIOnGWA|Free Hugs Project TV}}
* [http://www.freehugsproject.com/ Free Hugs Project Website]
{{United States presidential election, 2020}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nwadike Jr, Ken E.}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Motivational speakers]]
[[Category:American motivational speakers]]
[[Category:American sports businesspeople]]
[[Category:American YouTubers]]
[[Category:People from San Diego]]
[[Category:American people of Nigerian descent]]
[[Category:Nonviolence advocates]]
[[Category:Anti-poverty advocates]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American activists]]
[[Category:American social activists]]
[[Category:Activists from California]]
[[Category:African-American Christians]]
[[Category:American philanthropists]]
[[Category:California Democrats]]
[[Category:United States presidential candidates, 2020]]

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Ser Amantio di Nicolao: Removing from Category:African-American activists (parent category) using Cat-a-lot