Author: Donna Ardizzoni

From Kathleen Williams, thank you for always keeping us informed.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2023

CELEBRATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR DAY JANUARY 16 WITH INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED CARTOONIST KEITH KNIGHT
The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation celebrates the 2023 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a free event Monday, January 16 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gloucester Meetinghouse at the corner of Middle and Church Streets.

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation hosts cartoonist, rapper, social activist, author, and educator, Keith Knight, creator of The Knight Life, K Chronicles, (Th)ink, and co-creator of the television series Woke.  Through his art, Knight raises topics of race and identity with edge and humor to foster civic dialogue and raise awareness of racial illiteracy. His work is published worldwide, and features Knight’s candid take on current events as they relate to race relations in the United States.

Born in Malden, Massachusetts and a graduate of Salem State University, Knight’s work has earned him the highest professional accolades. He is the recipient of the Harvey Kurtzman Award, the industry’s most respected award for the best syndicated strip or panel weekly. He is also the recipient of the 2015 NAACP History Maker Award.

Following Mr. Knight’s slideshow presentation, members of the audience will have an opportunity to interact with him through a Q&A segment and roundtable discussion.

For the past six years, GMF has celebrated the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a free event to bring together the Cape Ann community and raise awareness of the historical, cultural, musical, and artistic contributions of African Americans.

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is grateful for the individuals and organizations that have made this program possible:
John and Mollie Byrnes, Susan Gray, Action, Inc., Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals, a Member of Beth Israel Lahey Health, the Gloucester Racial Justice Team, and the Manship Artists Residency. Technical support is provided by the Cape Ann Community Cinema.

ABOUT THE GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE FOUNDATION
Founded in 2015, the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is dedicated to preserving the landmark building as a civic hub, entertainment venue, and community center. In addition to its work to preserve the historic 1806 Meetinghouse, GMF is currently raising funds to restore Meetinghouse Green.
The GMF has received a $130,000 grant from the Community Preservation Act and a $2,000 grant from the Essex Heritage Partnership Grant Program towards a total project goal of $340,000. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2023. For more information, a full schedule of upcoming concerts and events, and to sign up for the GMF newsletter, visit www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org.

We thank the sponsors of the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation’s 2022-2023 Autumn, Winter, Spring Concert and Event Series:
GUARANTOR: Woodie Brock, Patricia Roach & Robert Martin, Scobie Ward
PLATINUM: Anonymous, Peter Calkins & Susan Casey, Linzee Coolidge
GOLD: J.J. & Jackie Bell, John & Janis Bell, Karen Bell, Cape Ann Savings Bank, Andrew Spindler & Hiram Butler
SILVER: JoeAnn Hart & Gordon Baird, Charles Nazarian, Patricia Poore
BRONZE: Beth Graham & William Schulz, Sandra & John Ronan, Holly Tanguay, Sarah Willwerth-Dyer and Michael Dyer
SPECIAL THANKS: Massachusetts Cultural Council, Essex County Community Foundation