ABOUT RICH McKEOWN 

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Photo By: Dallas Logan

FILMMAKER | EDUCATOR | HUMANITARIAN

Rich McKeown is a distinguished figure in the realms of film-making, education, and humanitarian work. His dedication and contributions have earned him numerous prestigious accolades, including The President's Lifetime Achievement Award, The President's Volunteer Service Award, The State of Maryland's Governor's Citation, and the honor of being a Fulbright Specialist.

Founder/President of KoolKidz Television & Publishing, LLC - D/B/A Kool Media
Established in 2005, KoolKidz Television & Publishing, LLC has achieved significant acclaim, with over 350 Film Festival selections and awards worldwide. The company's children’s DVDs and documentaries have been prominently featured on platforms such as Revolt TV, the Education Channel, PWCSTV on Verizon FiOS channel 36, and East Africa Television’s Kids Time Program. The children’s DVDs are also available in libraries across the United States and Canada. 

Extensive Industry Experience
Rich brings a wealth of experience from his 15 years with publishing and entertainment giants such as Prentice Hall/Simon & Schuster, Sony Video, Boosey & Hawkes, Bertelsmann Music Group, and HBO. This is further complemented by an additional 12 years in sales, making him a versatile professional with a comprehensive understanding of the industry.

Educator and Speaker
As a public speaker and educator, Rich has led numerous workshops and presentations. He has worked with the National Black Children’s Development Institute, presented at Columbia College in Chicago and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and produced multiple Film/Beatbox workshop residencies with the Harvard Office of the Arts/Learning from Performers Program. In 2018, Rich was named Arts Hub Leader for the Mandela Washington Fellows at Wagner College on Staten Island, NY. 

Diplomatic Engagements and International Projects
Rich has been a key figure in various international initiatives. In 2019 he became a Mandela Washington Fellow Reciprocal Awardee, leading a 10-day micro-budget filmmaking workshop in Equatorial Guinea with 2017 Washington Mandela Fellow, Valerio O. Thompson Boco.

In 2021, he was awarded a US Embassy Diplomacy Grant in Guinea-Conakry to establish a film department at the Espace Cultural de Siba Fassou and taught at the Institut Supérieur des Arts Mory Kanté in Dubréka. In 2022, he received subsequent grants to continue his work in Dubréka and to lead projects in Bamako, Mali, where he produced the inaugural Bamako Films for Peace Symposium & Workshop in June 2023. Rich completed his 4th Public Diplomacy grant in November of 2023 through June, 2024, a 2-part program of The “Films for a Bright Future” workshop and film festival, focused on Guinea’s marginalized communities. It was conducted in three of the U.S. Embassy’s American Corners in Guinea culminating in a large community screening in the capital of Conakry. In April of 2025, at the West African Spring Conference in Accra, Ghana, Rich presented A.I. for filmmakers, journalists, and researchers. He has taught A.I. for filmmakers in Guinea, Mali, & Ghana. The event was sponsored by UNESCO Center for Peace.

Rich is a licensed visiting professor at the Institut Supérieur des Arts Mory Kanté of Dubreka in Guinea, West Africa, teaching film production. 

Acclaimed Productions
Rich is the producer, executive producer, assistant editor, music supervisor, and composer of the award-winning feature documentary "American Beatboxer." This documentary, broadcast on Revolt TV, The Urban Movie Channel, and Tubi was inducted into New York University’s Hip Hop Education Center, the Harvard Hip Hop Archives, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives in 2014. Rich has many other award-winning short films documentaries and children’s content including Wormead and Obara and the Merchants.

Current Projects
Currently, under Kool Media, Rich has two short documentaries, shot in Mali, West Africa in the film festival circuit. Both “Konowolokoun” and “Mali: The Quest for Peace” have received Official Selections with the latter winning Best Short Film at the Africa USA International Film Festival in Hollywood. Rich is currently producing his 1st completely A.I. film about the Dogon people Mali and the legend of the Nommo, in addition to projects directed by Guinean filmmakers.

A person with a camera and speaker equipment covering their face, with the words 'Kool Media' displayed on the equipment.

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

  • Richard McKeown holding a presidential and governor's certificates at an awards event.

    2023 Presidents Awards & the State of Maryland Governor’s Citation

  • A letter from the President of the United States with the White House emblem at the top, expressing gratitude to volunteers for their service, with a signature at the bottom.

    Letter from the President
    The White House

  • Gold medal with an eagle emblem, a shield with red and white stripes, and the words 'The President's Volunteer Service Award' engraved around the edge, attached to a red ribbon.

    The President’s Volunteer
    Service Award

  • A framed certificate titled 'Lifetime Achievement Award' awarded to Rich McKeown in 2023 by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. for voluntary service, with the presidential seal and decorative border.

    The President’s Lifetime
    Achievement Award

  • Official certificate from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Handicraft of Guinea Ecuatorial, with the coat of arms of Guinea Ecuatorial at the top, certifying Richard W. McKeown for film work in Malabo, signed by the Director General of Cultural Centers, Cinemas and Theaters and stamped with official seals.

    Equatorial Guinea Cultural, Film & Theater Certificate

  • Official letter from Fulbright organization dated June 9, 2023, informing Richard Wesley McKeown of his recommendation for the Fulbright Specialist Roster for three years, with details about eligibility, travel considerations, and requirements for participation.

    Fulbright Specialist Roster Decision

  • A certificate awarded to Richard W. McKeown from the Institut Supérieur des Arts Mory KANTÉ de Dubreka, recognizing his role in film program creation and instruction at a micro-budget workshop, dated December 10, 2022.

    ISAMK Certificate

  • Certificate of recognition awarded to Richard McKown by Espace Culturel Siba Fassou, dated December 18, 2022, for contributions to youth training in film technique and equipment. Contains French text and signatures, with stamps and artistic masks.

    Siba Fassou Certificate

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