John Kennedy McCray

John Kennedy McCray (born April 14, 1961) is an American artist, actor, screenwriter, director and film/stage producer. He was instrumental in creating and/or co-founding several cultural enrichment enterprises and businesses that fostered human services. His most recent companies 2bfilms Productions and Direct Action Media Academy (Co-Founded with Monzell Dunlap) and Tri-Bell Productions, Inc. offer timely snapshots of his life's purpose.
He has received much critical acclaim for his visual art, as well as for his work in film and stage including his contributions to unconventional projects, such as The Legendary African American Lacrosse Team - Morgan State University, The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday Movement and The MAAFA International's National Monument Proposal honoring the Middle Passage in Washington, DC.
Early years
John Kennedy McCray was born in Baltimore, Maryland on April 14, 1961. His mother, Betty Louise “Hon” McCray, from Laurinburg, North Carolina was a recently migrated southerner who worked for the Baltimore City Water Department. His father, Jackie McCray, was a native of Georgetown, South Carolina who worked for Davidson Chemical, Inc. in Baltimore. Amirajadid 21:34, 23 January 2011 (UTC)
McCray attended elementary school at the original Harriet Tubman Elementary School in Baltimore one year before it was demolished in 1967. During that year, he began 1st grade at the newly constructed experimental school, City Springs Elementary School which was located directly in the community where his family lived, Perkins Homes Projects and continued through 1972. During this time, John was recognized for his artistic abilities and encouraged to draw and paint at every opportunity. In addition, his mother encouraged him to join the Salvation Army Boy's Club of America which was located five miles away from the projects to experience a more diverse area of the city, Highlandtown. There, he became very active in art, Native American Studies, football and lacrosse. At the age of 11, he painted his 1st mural which featured all of his newfound interests. In addition, through the Boy's Club, he was asked to do a portrait of Mayor William Donald Schaefer which was later presented to the city's office. When he was 12, his parent's marriage fell apart and his mother moved the family to a community closer to Highlandtown, .
After middle school at Hampstead Hill Junior High School (during the Desegregation Busing Period), McCray went on to become class vice-president and a state lacrosse champion at Patterson Senior High School. John took a year off from his education after high school to accept an apprenticeship at Artworks Studio in Dickeysville, MD under the tutelage of Artist - Elaine Arnold and worked as a counselor at The League of People's Camp Greentop in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland. The Artworks Studio was one of several independently owned craftsmen and artists studios occupied by nationally marketed professionals. Camp Greentop was a multi-cultural/multi-class overnight camp that employed college student's from all over the country to work side-by-side with past campers and TLP disabled employees that served disabled children and adults. “Through experiencing such a free thought, creative environment in that old artisan mill in Dickeysville and working with spiritually undefeated terminally ill children and all-inspiring disabled adults at the camp, I confirmed my beliefs in the human spirit, accepting all life challenges and the importance of acknowledging and celebrating everyone's life without limitation”.
During his college years at Morgan State University, McCray played lacrosse for the Bears, majored in art and had his 1st experience in theater.Once McCray returned from New York to continue his studies at Morgan State, the dance and lacrosse programs had been disbanded. John transferred to The Professional Institute of Commercial Art where he graduated with a concentration in graphic design.

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