1996 Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: MULITIPLE SPORTS
Parents: Joseph (Helen) Waters
Son: Kenneth II
Daughter: Kenneika
Grandson: Keenon
Kenneth Waters, grandson of Maceo and Quo Vadis Lewis, parents of his mother, and Joseph Sr., and Edna Waters parents of his father came to Flint in the mid 1900’s. Kenneth has five brothers and three sisters. He attended Parkland elementary, Emerson Jr. High and Flint Northern High where he graduated. Kenneth’s grandfather Maceo Lewis, an avid Northern fan, made sure he was exposed to the world of athletics. Living close to Berston Field House he participated in football, basketball, baseball and track. In 1956, while at Northern, he played guard on the city and valley basketball championship team. As quarterback on the football team, the schools first running quarterback, the 1956 football team was undefeated, winning the city, valley and state championships. He was Northern’s first quarterback to lead the team in rushing in a game, 108 yards. Most rushing yards in a season at quarterback, 346 yards. Northern’s longest quarterback run from scrimmage, 83 yards. Earned honorable mention, all state, and Northern’s most valuable player.
After graduating from Northern, Kenneth attended Central State University at Wilberforce, Ohio. He was Flint’s first black starting quarterback at a Negro College. He was the starting quarterback for three years (1957-1961).
Kenneth received a bachelor of science degree at Central State, and his master of arts degree from Eastern Michigan. He worked in the field of education for 33 years as a teacher, community school director, coach and principal of an elementary and a middle school before retiring.
” My hero is my 92 year old grandmother Quo Vadis Lewis,” says Kenneth. ” I love you “Tee” you’ve been there for us all the time.”
