Kennedy J. Reed was born on May 24, 1944, in Memphis, Tennessee to Earl Reed Sr. and Tula B. Reed (née McClain). He grew up with 5 siblings: Juan, Garland, Margaret, Lynn, and Oye. He later moved to Chicago, Illinois, growing up in the Ida B. Wells public housing of the south side of the city. He attended James R. Doolittle Jr. Grammar School and graduated from Tilden Technical High School (later renamed Edward Tilden Career Community Academy High School).