Leon Isaac Kennedy
Film and Media Consultant and Spiritual Advisor, M17
Kennedy, a successful and multi talented actor, radio personality/disc jockey, television and film producer as well as highly respected spiritualist, has been a close friend and confidant to Spencer for decades. Currently Leon is serving as Spencer’s Co-Producer on the fully authorized SLY STONE feature bio pic (Sly & The Family Stone): DANCE TO THE MUSIC. Sly’s long time best friend, executor of Sly’s estate and manager, Arlene Hirschkowitz, is an Executive Producer.
Leon and Spencer go back many years as friends and business associates. They did well with a partnership on an entrepreneurial venture in the music lane with one of music’s songwriter/performer, icons, Smokey Robinson.
By the time he was 16 years old, Leon became the youngest Disc Jockey in a top 10 market, Cleveland, Ohio. Then Detroit, DC – Houston, Texas – Los Angeles. It was in the Motor City that Leon became a Radio Legend as “Leon The Lover.” Now, years later, fans still talk about his classic, “Leon’s Lover’s Lane.”
Leon personally wrote poems to go with his theme song and slow jams. Some say it was his voice, others his charm, but he certainly made them tune in.
Kennedy was one of Hollywood’s first minorities, who could take a project from an idea stage – to pen and paper – write it – raise the financing – produce it – direct and star in it. As a Minority filmmaker, Kennedy was certainly a pioneer. Kennedy was one of the first Minority filmmakers to travel to Cannes – MIFED – Russia and China to dispel the myth that Black films have no commercial value overseas. Before he was through, Kennedy’s films had played in virtually every country in the world! By age 26, Leon was producing major motion pictures, that have generated hundreds of millions of dollars and still play constantly around the world.
"Penitentiary," Associate Produced by and Starring Kennedy, was the Number 1 Independent Film the year of its release. Kennedy was featured on “Lifestyles of The Rich and Famous,” received the Keys to the City from over 20 Cities, and awarded other Congressional and prestigious accommodations, as well as two Honorary Doctorates.
Ice Cube said it best, “There would be no me as a filmmaker if it weren’t for Leon and his pioneering efforts. He busted open the doors for the rest of us!” Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg said: “We grew up looking up to this brother. He was a hero to us.”
At the top of his career, Kennedy left the Hollywood scene, devoting his time to ministry, speaking at Detention Centers, Homes for Unwed Mothers and Rehab Centers to positively impact the lives of others. He has spoken gratis at hundreds of schools, against drug and alcohol use, teen suicides, and at hundreds of prisons across the nation.
Spencer is proud to have Leon as a friend, creative and Spiritual Advisor. He believes in Leon’s mantra that "today is a new day and a new way of doing things.”
Kennedy states that, "Spencer and his Meteor17 organization are truly what the world needs now more than ever! Using the art of media to put forth strong messages and energy of hope and healing!
"Most importantly, Spencer and his wonderful wife, Judy stand as beacons of inspiration for this generation of filmmakers, that one can be talented and successful, while still being "first class acts" depicting sensitivity and caring to others!"