Press

Home
The Play
Schedule
Reviews
Press
Biographies
Contact


Nikao Imani Publicity

7050 Vassar Ave.  Ste 13

Canoga Park, Ca 91303

Telephone:  (818) 903-5555

 

Press Release 2011 Indiana University

NEWS                                        IU News Room
IU News from all eight campuses
IU Bloomington celebrates legacies of civil rights pioneers Martin Luther King Jr., Fannie Lou Hamer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 10, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University Bloomington will remember Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate his legacy with activities beginning Thursday (Jan. 13) and running through Jan. 21.
 
Highlights will include the presentation on Sunday (Jan. 16) of an original, one-woman play by actress and playwright E.P. McKnight, titled "I Question America," which chronicles the life of civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer.
The university also will help to present the Bloomington community's celebration on Jan. 17, which will feature as keynote speaker Sonia Sanchez, a poet, activist and international lecturer on black culture and literature, women's liberation, peace and racial justice.
The theme for IU Bloomington's celebration is "Sustaining the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."

E.P. McKnight's "I Question America"
McKnight's performance of "I Question America" will begin at 3 p.m. on Jan. 16 in Whittenberger Auditorium of the Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. Seventh St.
McKnight, a graduate of Fordham University and author of Words "N" Action, a book of inspirational and motivational poetry, wrote the play to help others become more familiar with Hamer's role in history. Her on-screen credits include roles in "Once And Again," "ER," "Passions," "Another World" and "All My Children."
 
Inspired by organizers from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Hamer began to strive for equal rights in 1962 and later co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. She represented the organization in 1964 at the National Democratic Convention and challenged Mississippi's all-white and anti-civil rights delegation.
"If the Freedom Democratic Party is not seated now, I question America," Hamer said in a nationally televised speech. "Is this America? The land of the free and the home of the brave? Where we have to sleep with our telephones off the hook, because our lives be threatened daily?"
Hamer also helped to organize the "Freedom Summer" in Mississippi that summer and was seated as a member of Mississippi's legitimate delegation to the Democratic National Convention in 1968 and again in 1972.
In a 1970 lawsuit, Hamer v. Sunflower County, she demanded school desegregation in her local community. She ran unsuccessfully for the Mississippi state Senate in 1971 and published To Praise Our Bridges: An Autobiograpy in 1967. Hamer died in 1977.
McKnight also will speak at a reception that follows her performance, which is free and open to the public.
"Jazz Service for Peace"


Nikao Imani Publicity
7050 Vassar Ave.  Ste 13
Canoga Park, Ca 91303

Telephone:  (818) 903-5555

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 3, 2010

 
HIGHLY NOTEWORTHY, LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD-WINNING THESPIAN,

           E. P. MCKNIGHT

                 PERFORMS

          “I QUESTION AMERICA”

  A Broadway Style One Woman Play

 McKnight chronicles Ms. Hamer’s Legacy from the cotton fields to the Halls of Congress……A Mesmerizing Historical Journey….
                              Premiering at

  Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Thomas College, Claflin University, Bradley University, Fannie Lou Hamer High School,
and  Temecula Valley Museum

                "Educating Using the Arts"
   Recently appeared at University of North Florida, Hawkeye College, Loras College, William Woods University, Burbank Library, Brentwood Library, Mary O’Keefe Theatre, and in Miami-Dade County, FL - The 2nd Bi-Annual Urban Theatre & Entertainment Festival/Awards (UTEF) kicking-off a Celebrity Gala hosted by Singer and Actresses Melba Moore and JoMarie Payton. *Opening Night Featured Performance*
I QUESTION AMERICA (By E. P. Mc Knight - Los Angeles, CA)
Sponsored in part by The JEBA Companies, Hyatt Regency -  Miami, FL

This powerful production is the story of Fannie Lou Hamer and educates the community about the accomplishments of this history maker.

Theatergoers are in for a mesmerizing journey into the life and times of this driven heroine during the Civil Rights Movement when noteworthy stage, motion picture and television actor E.P. McKnight, presents her powerful, nationally touring one-woman historical play I Question America at the Fannie Lou Hamer High School, Bronx, New York February 15, 2005 7:00PM. Funded by the Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School in recognition of African American History Month.

During this jubilant and captivating journey through time, McKnight brings to life on stage, the lives of many characters that interacted with Ms. Hamer’s journey through early childhood, youth and adulthood. I Question America celebrates Ms. Hamer’s ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and achieve her life’s callings with her undaunted faith, belief in herself and The Civil Rights Movement.

McKnight most recent TV credit are  Passion, ER, film credit are The Zodiac,  Rat Race along with Whoopi Goldberg, Cuba Gooding Jr. and many other famous stars. Rat Race  and The Zodiac are  currently on DVD.

Once An Again, television series, last episode depicted McKnight as a prominent figure in that particular episode. Her performance was noteworthy per the Director from watching the Dailies. Her performance lends much credibility to her acting talent and ability. 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2009

 

HIGHLY NOTEWORTHY, LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD-WINNING THESPIAN,

           E. P. MCKNIGHT

                 PERFORMS

          “I QUESTION AMERICA”

  A Broadway Style One Woman Play

 

McKnight chronicles Ms. Hamer’s Legacy from the cotton fields to the Halls of Congress……A Mesmerizing Historical Journey….

Premiering at Univeristy of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida   @ 7:00PM  on March 11, 2009

"Educating Using the Arts"

 

Recently appeared in Hawkeye College, Loras College, William Woods University, Burbank Library, Brentwood Library, Mary O’Keefe Theatre, and in Miami-Dade County, FL - The 2nd Bi-Annual Urban Theatre & Entertainment Festival/Awards (UTEF) kicking-off a Celebrity Gala hosted by Singer and Actresses Melba Moore and JoMarie Payton. *Opening Night Featured Performance*
I QUESTION AMERICA (By E. P. Mc Knight - Los Angeles, CA)
Sponsored in part by The JEBA Companies, Hyatt Regency -  Miami, FL

This powerful production is the story of Fannie Lou Hamer and educates the community about the accomplishments of this history maker.

Theatergoers are in for a mesmerizing journey into the life and times of this driven heroine during the Civil Rights Movement when noteworthy stage, motion picture and television actor E.P. McKnight, presents her powerful, nationally touring one-woman historical play I Question America at the Fannie Lou Hamer High School, Bronx, New York February 15, 2005 7:00PM. Funded by the Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School in recognition of African American History Month.

 

During this jubilant and captivating journey through time, McKnight brings to life on stage, the lives of many characters that interacted with Ms. Hamer’s journey through early childhood, youth and adulthood. I Question America celebrates Ms. Hamer’s ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and achieve her life’s callings with her undaunted faith, belief in herself and The Civil Rights Movement.

 

McKnight most recent TV credit are  Passion, ER, film credit are The Zodiac,  Rat Race along with Whoopi Goldberg, Cuba Gooding Jr. and many other famous stars. Rat Race  and The Zodiac are  currently on DVD.

 

Once An Again, television series, last episode depicted McKnight as a prominent figure in that particular episode. Her performance was noteworthy per the Director from watching the Dailies. Her performance lends much credibility to her acting talent and ability.  www.iquestionamerica-fannielouhameri.com.   Other sites: www.myspace.com/epmcknight,  www.youtube.com/nikaoimani, www.lulu.com/epmcknight

<>                                           

NEWS                                                                                                                                                           

Press Release   March 22, 2006                                                                                         
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        
HIGHLY NOTEWORTHY, LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNING THESPIAN,
 E. P. MCKNIGHT PERFORMS     "I  QUESTION  AMERICA”--An Acclaimed  Broadway Style Play
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY MAINLY DURING MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATIONS, AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH, HER STORY MONTH, BLACK FAMILY WEEK AND SOME SPECIAL EVENTS.

"I QUESTION AMERICA" HAS VISITED APPROXIMATELY TEN STATES AND WITH A FEW MORE  TRAVELS TO NEW LOCATIONS PENDING.
 
Ms. McKnight chronicles Ms. Hamer’s legacy from the Cotton Fields to the Halls Of Congress A Mesmerizing Historical Journey. . .
  **************************************************
University of Maryland Eastern Shore premieres "I Question America" Mach 9, 2006.   Theatergoers are in for a mesmerizing journey into the life and times of this driven heroine during the Civil Rights Movement  when noteworthy  stage, motion picture and television actor  E.P. McKnight , presents her powerful, nationally touring one-woman historical play  I Question America at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore March 9, 2006 7:00 PM . Funded by the Student Service Center of UMES  in recognition of  African American History Month.    McKnight  proclaims "It is an honor to have been asked by UMES to be included on their list of events celebrating Black History Month their  new Theatre Wing  for the faculty & student body and the local community.  She is thrilled to be their second production of  Solo Performances.  Although my show has toured extensively on the east and  west coast, she has received numerous considerations for new Venus across the Country and is considering traveling Abroad in the near future.  It is especially heartwarming to perform my show in many  new Venues that are not close to home. February 2004 performance was a special delight at the Rust College, Holly Springs, Mississippi because this was near Ms. Hamer’s roots. February 2005, Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom School, Bronx, New York  remains a favorite, and I  am thrilled to have been asked  back for repeat performances.

To attest to the popularity of "I Question America" Ms. McKnight has been recently booked to perform at the following locations: FirstStage Company, Bahi Center, NoHo Arts & Theatre Festival, First Baptist Church of North Hollywood's Juneteenth Celebration.
 
During this jubilant and captivating journey through time, McKnight brings to life on stage, the lives of many characters that interacted with Ms. Hamer’s journey through early childhood, youth  and  adulthood. I Question American celebrates Ms. Hamer’s ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and achieve her life callings with her undaunted faith, belief in herself and The Civil Rights Movement.    McKnight most  recent film credit was Rat Race along with Whoopi Goldberg, Cuba Gooding and many other famous stars.  Rat Race is currently on  DVD.
 
Recently, appeared on ER.  Once An Again, Television Series, last episode depicted McKnight as a prominent figure in that particular episode. Her performance lends much credibility to her acting talent and ability.    McKnight recent completed a film shoot, "The Line". Soon to premiere at film festival across the Country.  Pending film project:  "Without Consent".

McKnight is also a motivational speaker, poet,  writer, published author and teacher.  As a writer and published author, Ms Mcknight works also include  “Words ‘N’ Action,  “Catch The Spirit” a play about the legacy of Ms. Bessie Coleman, which debut in Paterson, New Jersey, “Drama ‘N’ Action, a how to book, “EP’ism--Oops”, comedic slips of everyday life, The Introduction & The Revelation..

As a motivational speaker and poet, she is featured  weekly at the Bahi Center, Encino, California to a diverse audience. Past speaking venues ranged from churches, private functions & the Women's Oasis Group. McKnight is also the founder/organizer of The Coldreading Bootcamp Group for actors training.