About S.K. Jay P. Kennedy
Sir Knight Jay P. Kennedy was born March 31, 1979, in Detroit, Michigan to Clifton and the late Rochelle Kennedy. As a child he attended St. Alphonsus elementary school in Dearborn before graduating from Bishop Borgess High School in Redford, MI. His family were regular parishioners at St. Alphonsus parish. Following high school S.K. Jay attended Eastern Michigan University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminology. He would later attend Wayne State University earning a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and the University of Cincinnati where he earned a Master of Business Administration and a PhD in Criminal Justice.
Throughout his career he has worked in non-profit management, sales and prospect development, and as a university professor. He is currently the Global Lead for Anti-Counterfeiting External Engagement for Amazon. An active scholar, S.K Jay has authored over 40 publications and his research has been covered by major news outlets such as Fox Business, Business Insider, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN. S.K. Jay is the co-author of White-Collar Crime: An Opportunity Perspective, a top-rated white-collar crime textbook. He has served on the editorial boards of several academic journals, was Vice-President of the White-Collar Crime Division of the American Society of Criminology, and currently sits on an OECD global experts advisory board.
S.K Jay was wedded to Lady Brandi Kennedy (Companion of the Temple) in June of 2009. They have three beautiful daughters, Jaime, Aria and Bree, who often accompany S.K. Jay on his Masonic travels.
A Brief Masonic Resume
Sir Knight Kennedy began his Masonic career in 2000 when he was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 7 (Prince Hall Affiliated), in Ypsilanti, MI, later transferring his membership to Detroit Lodge No. 2 under the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Michigan. He was named lodge Mason of the Year in 2008. S.K. Kennedy is a member of Monroe Chapter No. 1, R.A.M., Monroe Council No. 1, R.S.M, Detroit Commandery No. 1, Lansing Commandery No. 25 and Cincinnati Commandery No. 3. He served as Grand Commander of Michigan for the 2023/2024 Templar year, and was appointed and installed as the department commander for the East Central Department at the 69th Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America on August 21st, 2024.
He has been awarded Knight Commander of the Temple and the Order of the Purple Cross, and holds memberships in a number of Masonic bodies, including Detroit York Rite College No. 1; Michigan College, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis; Moslem Shrine A.E.O.N.M.S.; St. Gobban Saer Council, Knight Masons; and Ionic Council No. 251 Allied Masonic Degrees. He continues to serve his local Masonic organizations and is a Past-President of The Old Guard of Detroit Commandery No. 1, Chief Hospitaler of Detroit Commandery’s Hospitaler Committee, and Vice-President of the Detroit Masonic Temple Association Board of Trustees.
Through the Lens: JPK the person
