Kwame Scruggs was born and raised in Akron, Ohio—which, at that time, was the rubber capital of the world. He graduated from high school on a Thursday and started working as a mail boy at Goodyear the following Monday. He remained there for 15 years, nine as a drafter in Mold Design, while attending the University of Akron in the evening. After juggling work and school for many years, Kwame decided to take a risk and jump. Accepting a buyout from Goodyear with no job in sight, he left on faith. He accepted a graduate assistantship at the University of Akron where he earned a MS degree in Technical Education with an emphasis in Guidance and Counseling.

After graduating he spent five years working with youth and adults in Pre-College programs at the university. During that time, he was introduced to the Akan System of Life Cycle Development (African-based rites of passage) and became formally initiated. Through this process he discovered his purpose and reason for life. Soon after, he was introduced to the works of Carl G. Jung, Joseph Campbell, and Michael Meade. His further reading, and the experience of his own journey, solidified his belief in the power of myth to transform lives.

In 1998, Kwame went out on his own facilitating groups for high school dropouts and youth attending charter schools in Akron and Cleveland. Through the telling, discussion, and analysis of mythological stories, told to the beat of a djembe drum, Kwame supported each youth in becoming the hero in their own lives. To deepen his work, Kwame enrolled in Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California and obtained a masters and eventually a Ph.D. in Mythological Studies with an emphasis in Depth Psychology.

In 2003, Kwame founded and became Executive Director of the non-profit, Alchemy, Inc. Over the years, Alchemy, Inc. has been recognized for its bold, creative, and humane work.  In 2012, Alchemy won the President’s Committee National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, the nation’s highest honor for after-school and out-of-school programs. Kwame accepted this award from First Lady, Michelle Obama, at the White House. The work of Alchemy, Inc. was also the backdrop of the feature-length documentary, “Finding the Gold Within.” Since its inception, Alchemy has worked with 2000 youth. In 2020, the Association of Teaching Artists (with Lincoln Center Education) presented Kwame with their Innovation in Teaching Artistry award.

Kwame has presented at numerous C.G. Jung sites around the country and is internationally known for his unique, engaging style and his innovative method of using myth to create community, stimulate dialogue, and inspire life-changing moments.