Birmingham, AL – Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, John D. Kemp, JD, CEO is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for his contributions to Nonprofit Advocacy and Disability Rights.
Recognized as a trailblazer in nonprofit advocacy and disability rights, John D. Kemp, JD, currently serves as the President and CEO of Lakeshore Foundation, a role he has held since 2021. Under his leadership, the foundation supports over 4,000 individuals annually who live with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions, providing resources that empower independence and inclusion. His book, Disability Friendly: How to Move from Clueless to Inclusive, is a powerful call to businesses around the world to realize the opportunities presented by employing people with disabilities. It explains the potential of disabled employees, how to create a culture of inclusion, and, in the process, help people with disabilities become proud contributors.
With a career spanning decades, Mr. Kemp has left an indelible mark on the landscape of disability rights, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership. As a pivotal figure in securing the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Mr. Kemp also co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), one of the largest cross-disability organizations in the United States. His commitment to advancing equity and accessibility continues to drive his work at Lakeshore Foundation, where he has helped to expand its influence to national and international platforms, including serving as a disability access consultant for the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.
Mr. Kemp’s prior leadership roles include serving as President and CEO of The Viscardi Center and the Henry Viscardi School, where he spearheaded transformative initiatives to enhance educational and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. His career includes significant contributions as the Executive Director and General Counsel at Disability:IN, National Executive Director of United Cerebral Palsy Associations, and Vice President of Development at the National Easter Seal Society. He also served as a Principal and Partner at The Powers Law Firm (formerly Powers, Pyles, Sutter and Verville PC) and began his career as a staff attorney for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
A distinguished academic, Mr. Kemp earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Georgetown University in 1971 and a Juris Doctor from Washburn University School of Law in 1974. He returned to Washburn to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Law in 2003 and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Connecticut in 2018.
Kemp’s exceptional contributions to disability advocacy have earned him numerous accolades, including the Dole Leadership Prize, the Henry B. Betts Award for Disability Leadership and Service, and the New Freedom Initiative Award. Most recently, he was an honored attendee of the 2024 Elizabeth Dole Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Kemp values family and personal growth. He enjoys traveling and spending quality time with loved ones. He dedicates his accomplishments first to father, widowed at 32 and who raised him and his two sisters to have a healthy self-respect, and to his wife, Sameta, an exceptionally skilled Chief Development Officer at Lupus Foundation of America, whose unwavering support has been a cornerstone of his journey.
Looking to the future, Mr. Kemp plans to expand the Lakeshore Foundation’s reach and partnerships through the power of Disability Sport, advocate for global accessibility initiatives, take personal responsibility for one’s health and happiness, and continue fostering opportunities for individuals with disabilities worldwide. Guided by his enduring philosophy, “Treat others as you wish to be treated,” Mr. Kemp remains a visionary leader in the fight for equality and inclusion.
About Author
