The G.NIUS Grant

Kenneth D. Wiggins

December 9, 1986 – March 27, 2016

Kenneth D. Wiggins

December 9, 1986 – March 27, 2016

“Ideas should be worked on, no matter how small the steps you have to take are. Build your ideas, folk. The struggle may be there, but it’s worth it… Start somewhere.”

— Kenneth

Kenneth D. Wiggins was born on December 9, 1986, in Southeast Washington, DC, where he started his education. At the age of 15, he found his calling as a graphic and web designer and started his first company, Blue Shore Web Design. He moved on to study Interactive Media Design at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, where he was placed on the Dean’s List throughout his enrollment.

Upon graduating, Kenneth began working at BET Interactive, where millions of viewers would see his work during his tenure. He then moved on to User Experience (UX), UX strategy, and interactive design work for LookThink, Insomniac Designs, and Discovery Communications.

Even while working for large media corporations, he never lost his entrepreneurial spirit. He used his full-time work as a springboard to launch businesses that included:

  • GeniusMode, Inc: An agency that offered web design, development, digital strategy services, and WordPress themes for small to medium-sized businesses;
  • BlackStock Images: The first stock photography platform with assets created by Black artists featuring Black subjects created to advance representation of Black culture;
  • New Culture: A central platform to house his previous ventures and launch new ones. Those endeavors included an educational and networking platform for creatives, an apparel shop, and an online news outlet to discuss and challenge the ongoing gentrification of DC.

His strategic thinking, design skills, and work ethic were known throughout DC, especially within the Black and queer communities he was a part of. He was proud of who he was and encouraged authenticity in all forms and expressions.

Kenneth not only loved design and strategy, he loved uplifting and empowering Black people, Black culture, and Black creativity. He volunteered his time and resources teaching young Black students how to code and used his life as proof that there was more to life than working for other people — Black creatives can create their own paths, challenge outdated ways of thinking, and actively use their talents to build the worlds they wish to inhabit.

Kenneth was driven by ideas and curiosity rather than specific channels and mindless work. He believed in making things that matter and finding new and truly innovative solutions to old problems. He envisioned a much better world and worked every day to bring that vision to reality through his own ventures and inspiring others to do the same.

I hope to just put a good resource together where people are happy with the quality and the results and they finally get a sense of finding what they’ve been looking for… I just want to use the brand to instill a sense of community and better narratives. —Kenneth

Upon graduating, he began working at BET Interactive, where millions of viewers would see his work during his tenure. He then moved on to User Experience (UX), UX strategy, and interactive design work for LookThink, Insomniac Designs, and Discovery Communications.

Even while working for large media corporations, he never lost his entrepreneurial spirit. He used his full-time work as a springboard to launch businesses that included: 

  • GeniusMode, Inc: an agency that offered web design, development, digital strategy services, and WordPress themes for small to medium-sized businesses; 
  • BlackStock Images: the first stock photography platform with assets created by Black artists featuring Black subjects created to advance representation of Black culture;
  • New Culture: a central platform to house his previous ventures and launch new ones. Those endeavors included an educational and networking platform for creatives, an apparel shop, and an online news outlet to discuss and challenge the ongoing gentrification of DC.

His strategic thinking, design skills, and work ethic were known throughout DC, especially within the Black and queer communities he was a part of. He was proud of who he was and encouraged authenticity in all forms and expressions.

Kenneth not only loved design and strategy, he loved uplifting and empowering Black people, Black culture, and Black creativity. He volunteered his time and resources teaching young Black students how to code and used his life as proof that there was more to life than working for other people — Black creatives can create their own paths, challenge outdated ways of thinking, and actively use their talents to build the worlds they wish to inhabit.

Kenneth was driven by ideas and curiosity rather than specific channels and mindless work. He believed in making things that matter and finding new and truly innovative solutions to old problems. He envisioned a much better world and worked every day to bring that vision to reality through his own ventures and inspiring others to do the same.

I hope to just put a good resource together where people are happy with the quality and the results and they finally get a sense of finding what they’ve been looking for… I just want to use the brand to instill a sense of community and better narratives. —Kenneth