Kennie Rogers

Kennie Rogers was born December 3, 1954 in Itta Bena, Mississippi as the second youngest of the late Johnnie Rogers and Elizabeth Thomas. He answered the call of the Lord on September 15, 2010 after a valiant and courageous bout with cancer.

Kennie graduated from Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) with a B.S. degree in Chemistry. His Stepfather, Rev. B.T. Lacey, also a MVSU Professor, influenced Kennie’s career path as a Chemist. At his commencement, Kennie’s future father-in-law, Dr. Ernest A. Boykins, Jr. MVSU President, presented him with his diploma. While at MVSU Kennie met Constance, the love of his life and life long partner. They married on November 3, 1984 and to this union, two children were born: Brittani and Brandon. Kennie is also the proud father of Rhonda (Isiah) Bliss and Grandfather of Ryan Bliss and Godfather to Marco Camacho.

Kennie began his professional career at cosmetic company giant, Max Factor, Inc. as a Research Chemist in 1981. Soon, he was in a laboratory learning all about the cosmetic industry. During his tenure, Kennie worked with the marketing department in establishing shade directions on new and revised products. He turned out to have a very good eye for color, and an innate sense of how to recreate a new formula with remarkable accuracy. He was appointed to train and develop staff at Max Factor’s newest manufacturing facility. Kennie was indispensable to Max Factor, and his future appeared as bright as a bottle of glossy nail color.

In 1987, Kennie joined Sophisticolor/Paradise Cosmetics as Senior Chemist and Chief of Operations where he developed an exclusive line of cosmetics for twenty One Way Cosmetics retail stores. He was also instrumental in marketing efforts which procured contracts with Thrifty’s—Payless, and Family Dollar Stores. In 1990, he was recruited by Unger California Cosmetics as a Senior Chemist and Operations Manager where he created and formulated a complete line of cosmetics and nail care products.

Kennie’s life long dream of becoming an entrepreneur began in 1979 when Club Disco 79 made its debut. Kennie wanted more control of his own fate and began mixing cosmetic formulas in his garage. He fulfilled his dream of entrepreneurship again in 1991, and founded Brittani’s Cosmetics, Inc., named after his daughter.

Kennie’s products were known in the industry for their unique features as well as their quality, and it was only a matter of time before he had his first order. He created thirty-six shades of nail enamel for a local Longs Drugs and soon after, Brittani’s Nail Collection was available at several Longs stores in San Diego County.

Kennie produced private label lines for major cosmetic companies that revolutionized the cosmetic industry; including Garden Botanika, Revlon Nail Enhancers, Smashbox (available on QVC network), Diamond Dry Nail Enhancers, BU Trends, Exotic Sabila, Seche Vite, Seche World of Colour Collection, Boyfriend, Nailtini, Liquid U4ea, Cina Nails, Pro Finish, Luscious (available at Sephora), Tracy Naturals, B.U Trends and Megan Miller Collection. His most recent private label creation, Lumos, will launch at a trade show this Fall. Kennie also stepped outside his comfort zone and traveled to Molaki, Hawaii to set up a salt farming and manufacturing facility for gourmet food salt. He produced Hawaii Kai’s Soul of the Sea and Palm Island Gourmet Natural Sea Salts (available at Williams Sonoma). Kennie’s professional achievements were recognized in Nail Pro, Nails, Best News, San Diego Monitor News, and The San Diego Union Tribune.

Kennie was a member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and The National Organization of Black Chemists & Chemical Engineers. In 1989, he served as Banning Chamber of Commerce Director and named an Outstanding Young Man of America. He was influential in the Banning community as Chamber of Commerce President, Revitalized Community Director, and Commercial Redevelopment Committee Chairman. He also served as Riverside County Community Action Agency Commissioner. While residing in Chula Vista, Kennie continued his commitment to his community by volunteering with Parent Teacher Associations, Eastlake Educational Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, and youth basketball programs sponsored by Eastlake High School (NJB/EBA).

Kennie was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jimmy Lewis, and his father-in-law Ernest Boykins Jr. In addition to his wife and children, Kennie leaves to cherish his memories: brother Steve Thomas (Frances) of Louisville, KY, sisters, Mary Robinson and Jimmie Nichols of Los Angeles, CA, Ruby Rogers of Santa Monica, CA, and Ella Rose Rogers of Itta Bena, MS; son-in-law, Isiah Bliss of Atlanta, GA; sister in-laws, Marlene Lewis of Los Angeles, CA, Rhea Allen (JC) of Dallas TX, Karen Cooper (Donnie) of Charlotte, NC; brother-in-law Darryl Boykins (Cheryl) of Knoxville, TN; and mother-in-law, Beverly Boykins of Hattiesburg, MS.

Arrangements under the direction of Glen Abbey Mortuary, Bonita, CA.