Michael Leon Kidd

Michael Leon Kidd was born on July 24, 1949, in Charleston, West Virginia, to Virginia and Samuel Kidd. He was an avid health, fitness, and wellness enthusiast, and enjoyed long bike rides through Rock Creek Park and the mountains of West Virginia. Michael also enjoyed driving fast cars slowly. He entered into eternal rest on August 9, 2021, at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., after a valiant fight against complications from diabetes and renal kidney failure.

The youngest of three sons, Michael and his brothers (Carl Lomax and Roland) were later joined by two sisters (Deborah and Robin). His early childhood was spent in Charleston, West Virginia where he was raised by his mother and Samuel Scott. Michael began his formal education in the Kanawha County schools. In 1962, his family migrated to Washington, D.C., when his mother accepted a position in the Federal government with the U.S. Department of State. He attended Garnett Patterson Junior High and Cardozo Senior High School. Upon graduation, Michael enrolled in Federal City College (now The University of the District of Columbia or UDC), where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.

From an early age, Michael exhibited a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit. As a teenager, his first job was delivering dinner menus for a Jewish business-owner. He later worked at Kinney’s shoe store, for a limousine company, a record store, and, eventually, became an entertainment promoter and manager for local D.C. artists. His success in the music arena led to his recruitment at AM/FM Records, and later to positions at Capitol Records, MCA Records, and Arista Records. He also held the titles of National Promotion Director at PolyGram/Mercury, and Vice-President of Black Promotion at RCA Records in New York City. During his time in the music industry, Michael was able to promote the successful careers of artists such as Natalie Cole, the Pointer Sisters, Sade, Junior, George Clinton, Cameo, Con Funk Shun, and Glenn Jones to name a few. He earned multiple silver, gold, and platinum albums during his tenure, and his various positions also enabled him to create and promote opportunities for other minorities, including members of his family.

In 1973, while residing in New York City as a music industry executive, Michael and his siblings, with support from their mother formed Kidd International Data Processing, Inc., a small data entry services firm. In the late 80’s Michael returned to Washington, D.C. full-time, to provide more direct support to his family and the family business. Working with his brothers and sisters, Michael was able to help the company more than double its revenue in less than 3 years. As a result, the company was able to provide more job and career development opportunities for family members and minority youths. In 1994 Michael formed Kidd International Home Care, Inc, which focused on nationwide local and state business management solutions. He also partnered in D.C. businesses: American Flag Construction, American Flag Movers, Combat Security, Harfford Knolls, LLC, and myriad of other real estate and entrepreneurial ventures. Over the past 48 years, the Kidd International entities have evolved and expanded its range of services to include case management, counseling, therapy, tutoring, mentoring, customer service solutions, child support enforcement, mail processing, collections, photo traffic enforcement, and software development for various state and local, and Federal governments. Dozens of minority youths have benefitted from the “first-job” training and nurturing programs at Kidd International and his other partnerships.

Political aspirations led Michael to run for the Ward 2 D.C. City Council seat in the 1991 special election. Although he did not win the chair, he maintained close ties with D.C. political figures. He lent his support to multiple candidates, Mayors, Council members, and members of Congress throughout his life, and was well-known, liked, and respected amongst D.C.’s political elite.

Michael was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., and was a permanent fixture at Mount Jezreel Baptist Church in Silver Spring, MD, often joining his brother Roland and sister Deborah for worship service.

Michael was preceded in death by his mother (Virginia), father (Samuel Scott), sister (Gail Olivia), and brothers (Carl Lomax, John Samuel, and Roland Debois). He leaves to cherish his memory three children: Mikeyla Jeanel (E. Jean Lewis), DaVaughn Aundre Leon and LaToya Virginia (Joyce Lewis); a grandson, Ahmir Michael; four sisters: Deborah Lovett (Lewis), Sondra Kidd-Jones, Robin Boseman, and Beth Evans; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, and devoted lifelong friends.