Kernersville YMCA executive director receives Black Business Ink’s 2025 40 Under 40 award

The executive director of the Kernersville Family YMCA has been named one of the region’s most influential young African Americans by a magazine that celebrates the achievements of Black business leaders and others in the Piedmont.

Adam Cardwell was among Black Business Ink’s 2025 40 Under 40 Most Influential African Americans in the Triad. The award recognized young professionals who have made a positive impact in their community.

Cardwell said getting the award was an honor.

“There are so many awesome leaders across the Triad and to be one of the 40 that were selected is such an honor to me and it’s something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I really want to thank all of the people who have helped me get to where I am today,” Cardwell said.

Cardwell said he got his first position at the YMCA while he was an intern with another local organization during his senior year at Appalachian State University.

“I landed an internship in Forsyth County with Horizons Residential Care Center, and I had couple of friends that were also going to Appalachian at the time and they got their internships at the YMCA. We were chatting and they said, ‘You should work come and work for the YMCA while you are doing your internship’,” Cardwell said.

While working for the YMCA, he soon learned that the YMCA’s mission aligned with his own professional and personal goals.

“The mission of the YMCA is ‘Helping all people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind and body,’ and I love that mission. We’re here to serve all people. It’s also a Christian organization, which is also big on my heart. All of our meetings that we do start with a devotion and a prayer. We do a Christian Leadership Conference annually in our association, and we also do a National Day of Prayer event,” Cardwell said.

Cardwell continued to work for the YMCA after his 2011 graduation and has held several roles over his years at the nonprofit.

Cardwell said this year’s awards gala theme of “Leaders Leading from the Front for Positive Change in Our Community” resonated with his passion to connect with the community.

“It’s about being present and being open to getting positive and negative feedback from all of our members and the community. It’s important for all leaders, no matter what level you’re on, to be willing to lead from the front,” Cardwell said.

Cardwell said the mission of the YMCA allows him to combine his interest in supporting the community with his dedication to outreach initiatives.

“I’ve always been passionate about giving back to the community. I try to be heavily involved in the community and being present is so important, especially with our mission at the YMCA where we serve all people. We are making sure that we’re taking the YMCA outside of our walls and that we’re out in the community so people can know about what the Y is about,” Cardwell said.

Outside of the YMCA, Cardwell is involved in civic organizations and other leadership positions in Kernersville and the Triad. Cardwell serves as the treasurer for the Rotary Club of Kernersville, a board member of Agape Faith Church in Clemmons, and will be a board member for the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce in the upcoming year.