Kwame Scruggs has more than 20 years of experience using myth in the development of male youth and adults and is the founder and director of Alchemy, a nonprofit in Akron, Ohio that uses myths to engage adolescents. He holds a doctorate and master's degree in mythological studies with an emphasis in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. In 1993, he was formally initiated into the Akan System of Life Cycle Development (African-based rites of passage).
In 2012, Alchemy was one of 12 programs to receive the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities—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. Alchemy was also the backdrop for a feature-length documentary, Finding the Gold Within.In 2020, the Association of Teaching Artists (with Lincoln Center Education) presented Kwame with their Innovation in Teaching Artistry award.
Kwame is a board member of the Joseph Campbell Foundation, a graduate of the National Guild Community Art Education’s Leadership Institute, and a BMe Fellow.