Kenneth Browner, Marion High School Class of 1982, is an educator who has developed curriculum in African American History and Ethnic Studies for Indianapolis area schools. He is also a well-respected track and field coach, who was inducted into the Indiana Association of Track & Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame in 2017.
At Marion High School, he lettered in football and track and field, and he served as the Marion Giant mascot. After high school, he attended and graduated (1987) from Taylor University where he continued his football and track and field career.
As an educator, he has taken on the work of challenging the status quo and working to highlight those groups that have been excluded or marginalized. He has worked to ensure that students have a greater understanding and wider perspective on history and culture. At Lawrence Township schools in Indianapolis, he developed the first African American History course in 1996. After moving to Carmel Clay Schools in Carmel, he formulated the Ethnic Studies curriculum for the district in 2018. He has been featured on NPR radio with Malaka Gharib and has contributed to numerous institutions in regards to Ethnic Studies and African American History.
As an assistant (1990-2005) and head (2006-2010) track and field coach at Lawrence North High School, he was part of four state championship teams in 1990, 2001, 2002, and 2003, and two state runner-up teams, in 1993 and 2008.
As the head track and field coach (2011 – present) at Carmel High School, he has won four state titles, in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2021, and a state runner-up, in 2014.
He has coached 13 individual state champions, two relay champions and 10 state runner-up individuals. He has coached a national shot put champion (2008), two Indiana Gatorade Track and Field athletes of the Year (2016-2017) and has been selected as the head coach of the Indiana Midwest Meet of Champions three times. He has been named coach of the year numerous times and has been recognized by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Coach of the Year three times and was selected as the USTFCCC Midwest Coach of the year in 2017.
He has been a member of the Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches for 31 years and served as the association president in 2009-2010. He is involved in the Taylor University Football Alumni Association and is active with New Beginnings Fellowship Church. He is a part of the men’s ministry group, the Sons With Authority Team that ministers to the community and correctional institutions. He assists with the J. Everett Light Career Center’s Prince Charming’s Closet, which supplies clothing and hygiene items for young men in need.
He is married to Shawn Wright-Browner, a 1983 Marion High School graduate.