Keith Knight is one of the funniest and most highly-regarded cartoonists in the United States. For some 30 years, he has been creating three popular comic strips: the Knight Life, (th)ink, and the K Chronicles. His life and cartoons are the inspiration for the popular Hulu streaming-series "Woke," now in its 2nd season. Knight also serves as the show's co-creator, writer, and executive producer.
A rapper, social activist, educator, and father, Keith is part of a generation of African American artists who were raised on hip-hop, infusing their work with urgency, edge, humor, satire, politics, and race. His art has appeared in various publications worldwide, including the Washington Post, the New Yorker, San Francisco Chronicle, the Nib, Ebony, ESPN the Magazine, MAD Magazine, and the Funny Times.
Knight's presentations feature his comics and are infused with urgency and humor, storytelling and satire, designed to inspire constructive, civil dialogue amongst people of all ages, races, and political persuasions. His slide presentations on racial illiteracy and police brutality have also garnered awards including a Comic-Con Inkpot Award, a Belle Foundation Grant, and an NAACP History Maker Award. His presentations also highlight Black history and the importance of social activism.
Cartooning Can Save the World!
Join Keith as he explores the way comics have historically been used in social justice movements, cultural storytelling, and speaking truth to power for centuries. Using his own work and the work of others, Keith makes the case that cartooning can be a bridge to understanding, compassion, and even, liberation.
Red, White, Black & Blue: A Cartoonist Addresses America’s Racial Illiteracy
Culled from some 30 years of his award-winning work, this Powerpoint presentation combines Knight's comics, humor, and storytelling with statistics and just plain facts. Knight makes the case that America’s biggest problem is its inability to have a frank and honest discussion about race and if it wants to be the country it aspires to be, it needs to come to terms with this history and reality.
Lessons from "Woke"
Keef chronicles the trials and tribulations from adapting his comics from page to screen. Taking audiences behind the scenes, Knight makes the case for why we need diversity, both behind the camera and in front, in the writer's room, and in the offices of Hollywood executives. Easter eggs galore!
The Intersection of Art and Social Justice
Keef takes a deep dive on 20 artists who inspired him to use his art to address social issues. Folks like Ollie Harrington, Langston Hughes, Octavia Butler, Oscar Michaux, James Baldwin, alongside current artists like Dread Scott, Public Enemy, and Fly.
