Building the Future: Kenwon’s Investment in Long-Term Success
“ICC gave me a space to grow—not just for now, but for the success I want five years from now.”
Kenwon isn’t just studying business. He’s building one. After launching his own skincare company, he quickly realized passion alone wouldn’t carry it forward. He needed knowledge, structure, and support. That’s when he turned to Illinois Central College.
“I came to ICC because I realized my business could only grow as far as I did,” Kenwon said. “I wanted to give it the foundation it deserved.”
Through the Business program at ICC, Kenwon began learning how to elevate his ideas into strategy. Courses in marketing, budgeting, and operations helped him refine his brand, and supportive instructors encouraged him every step of the way.
“My professors have been amazing. I’ll sing their praises every chance I get,” he said. “They pushed me, but they also believed in me. They made sure I understood the ‘why’ behind everything.”
Beyond the classroom, Kenwon found encouragement through programs like Harvesting Dreams and Black Legacy, where he connected with mentors and peers who shared his drive and experiences. These communities gave him the confidence to speak up, ask for help, and keep going—even when things got hard.
“Being in those spaces reminded me that I wasn’t alone,” Kenwon said. “There were people rooting for me, people who wanted to see me win.”
As a first-generation, nontraditional student balancing school and business ownership, Kenwon understands the power of delayed gratification. He sees ICC as part of a bigger plan—an investment in his future self.