High Five Success Stories

High Five Success Stories


Episode #58: Coach Ken Abney – Making an Impact

January 18, 2021

I am so excited to feature my former track coach, Ken Abney, on the podcast—someone who has made a tremendous impact on my life and the lives of so many others. For over 20 years, Coach Ken led the United Stars Track Club of Philadelphia consisting of 95% inner-city young Black women and 5% young white women.

Over the course of his coaching career, he helped over 70 young athletes receive track scholarships to colleges and universities all over the country. Without Coach Ken, there is no way I would have had the opportunity to get into Penn to run track. 

Due to the consistent systemic racism in the U.S., many of these young Black women might not have had the opportunity to go to college, but Coach Ken made it happen. I am honored to feature someone who has sacrificed so much of his personal time and energy for the good of all.