Kenneth Monroe began his life and ministry in the small town of Red Springs, NC. He received his elementary and secondary education from the public schools of Red Springs. He was baptized and became a member of the St. James African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church of Red Springs and was later called to preach at the age of seventeen.

Desiring to continue his education, he was encouraged and led to attend Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC. He received both the deacon and elders ordination by Bishop W. A. Hilliard. Upon the completion of his undergraduate studies at Livingstone College and receiving the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Studies, he entered Duke University Divinity School, Durham, NC. In December 1976, Reverend Monroe graduated from Duke University Divinity School with a Masters of Divinity Degree. Later in his ministry, he received the Doctor of Ministry Degree from Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT.

While in Kansas City, he served on several community and civic organizations. The ministry of Christian Education @ Metropolitan was enhanced as well as the acquisition of additional property with improvements to the church. Also during the time of his pastorate at the Metropolitan Church, the then Reverend Monroe was appointed Presiding Elder of the Kansas City District which included churches in Kansas City, MO; Kansas City, KS, Des Moines, IA and Omaha, NE.

In 1994, Bishop George W. C. Walker, Sr. appointed him to the Metropolitan A. M. E. Zion Church, Hartford, CT. He served that congregation with much distinction and credibility for 10 years. In 2001, he was also appointed Presiding Elder of the Nassau District, Bahamas Island Annual Conference and served from January 2001 to July 2004. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Clinton Junior College, Rock Hill, SC; Chairman of the Board of Worship and Ritual of the A. M. E. Zion Church; Chairman of the Board of Lay Activities; 1st Vice Chairman of the Christian Education Board of the A. M. E. Zion Church and a member of the Board of Trustee at Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC; member of the Board of Trustees at Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC

On July 31, 2004 he was elected the 95th Bishop in succession of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church during the 47th Quadrennial Session of the denomination in Greensboro, NC. He has served as the Presiding Bishop to the Western West Africa Episcopal District, which included North Ghana, Mid-Ghana, East Ghana, West Ghana, Togo, Liberia and Corte D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Annual Conferences. He also served as the presiding bishop of the Kentucky and Missouri Annual Conferences. He presently serves as the presiding bishop of the South Atlantic Episcopal District which comprises the South Carolina, Pee Dee, Palmetto and Georgia Annual Conferences of the A. M.E. Zion Church.

He has been married to the former Sheila Wells since May 24, 1975. They are the parents of three children and five grandchildren.