Free Hugs Project comes to Penn State York Aug. 28

Ken E. Nwadike spreads love and peace
Ken E. Nwadike Jr.

Ken W. Nwadike Jr., peace activist and creator of the Free Hugs Project, will visit Penn State York on Monday, Aug. 28.  Following the afternoon of interacting with students, Nwadike will take to the stage of the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) at 7 p.m. to share his message. This performance is free and open to the public.

Credit: Penn State

Ken E. Nwadike, peace activist and creator of the Free Hugs Project, kicks-off Penn State York’s free cultural series on Monday, Aug. 28, in the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) on campus. Nwadike will spend the afternoon interacting with students, and the day concludes with his performance at 7 p.m., which explores how to overcome the differences that divide us. Tickets are not needed for this show, and it is open to the public.

In this fun, creative and interactive program Nwadike brings his Free Hugs Project to engage the audience in conversations of understanding, and compassion amidst the rising tide of hatred and racism. He will use props, games, and hugs to transform the campus atmosphere with his loving presence. The goal of this program is to create unity and build community on campus, and remind students that the world is full of humans in need of love.

A peace activist, video journalist and YouTube personality best known as the Free Hugs Guy online, Nwadike is the founder of the Free Hugs Project, which produces motivational videos to spread love, inspire change, and raise awareness of social issues. His ‘Free Hugs’ videos have reached hundreds of millions of views on Facebook and YouTube.

As a former homeless student-athlete, Nwadike overcame many challenges to now own Superhero Events – an event production company that raises funds and awareness for homeless teens.

To learn more about the Free Hugs Campaign, visit https://freehugsproject.com/about-free-hugs-campaign/.  

Mark your calendar for the free events in the series including Anthony Ward, gay improvisational floral sculptor and dancer, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12; Nazu African Dance, a Baltimore-based African dance and drum ensemble, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018; and Marcia Boyese and Roger Latzgo with a tribute to Hans Christian Andersen on at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2018.  

This programming is sponsored by the Penn State York Student Affairs Office.  For more information on free and ticketed programs at The Pullo Center, visit pullocenter.york.psu.edu/.