The services and repast will be held Monday, October 18th at Hennepin United Methodist Church – 511 Groveland Ave. Minneapolis, MN (612) 871-5303
Visitation 10:00am – 11:00am Homegoing Service 11:00am
Obituary
Kenneth Wayne Saffold was born May 30, 1952 to Charlie Mae Saffold and the late James Harding Saffold. Kenny was raised in Birmingham, Alabama and attended the public schools. Kenny graduated with honors from Virginia Union University, and Howard University School of Law in Washington D.C.
After Law School, Kenny worked at the Attorney General’s office and Western Life American Investments and worked as the 1st black officer in history of the United States Attorney’s Office. Kenny was the founder and partner at Blackwell, Igbanugo, Engen & Saffold – the largest Black-controlled law firm in the country and started Saffold & Behrenbrinker in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kenny was General Counsel for the Office of the Monitor in the Pigford v. Vilsack, the African American Farmer class-action lawsuit, which is the largest settlement in civil rights history.
Kenny brings nearly twenty years experience as a federal prosecutor where he tried both civil and criminal cases. He also has extensive experience as an adjunct professor at Universities and Law schools, and is a former member of the Board of Trustees of William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Since moving from Alabama to Minnesota, Kenny was also been active in his community. He was one of the founding members of the Minnesota Minority Lawyers’ Association, and the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers. He also led and participated in community activities as a mentor, advisor, volunteer, and financial supporter for organizations such as the Boy Scouts, United Negro College fund and various Black Colleges.
Kenny was active in his church, Pilgrim Baptist, where he was been the Chairman of the Deacon Board, a Trustee and a singer (yes the man can harmonize). He spent many days ministering to the sick, visiting nursing homes and mentoring to elementary, junior high, high school and college students.
Kenny was married to the Reverend Stephanie C. Burroughs for 34 years and from this blessed union were three children – Kenneth Wesley (Akilah) from Atlanta, Keary Wayne (Shimeca) in Eagan, and Kathryn Elizabeth Saffold in Manhattan, New York; three grandchildren KyLan Wayne Saffold, Kamren Ahmad Saffold, and Kenneth James Saffold (KJ). He also leaves to mourn his mother Charlie Mae Saffold in Birmingham, Alabama, two sisters Sheryl S. Ortiz, Cheryl S. Agee (Kelvin) and a host of nieces, nephews.