Vonnegut Library Beefs Up Boards With Lewis Black

Lewis Black Leads Programs, Jimmy Kimmel Among New Honorary Board Members

Indianapolis, IN April 12, 2018 - Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (KVML), which opened its doors seven years ago with strong Governance, Advisory, and Honorary Boards, is pleased to announce several new high-profile additions to its Honorary boards.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel joins the organization's Honorary Board as fellow comedian and current honorary board member, Lewis Black, has been named the Honorary Programming Chair for 2018. This year's theme is "Lonesome No More," a Vonnegut phrase from the book Slapstick.

Other notable celebrities supporting the KVML include permanent board member Mark Vonnegut and legendary journalist Linda Ellerbee. These Vonnegut Library board members help support this small organization with big goals. Referencing Vonnegut's masterpiece novel, Slaughter House Five, Kimmel said, "This library seems like a good short-term solution until the Tralfamadorians come up with a way to allow Kurt to exist in all times simultaneously."

The KVML thanks outgoing Governance Board Members Kelli Norwalk, Matthew Whiteside, and Chris Stack, who remains on the Advisory Board. In addition to Stack, new Advisory Board Members include Brandon Cosby and Tom Pado. New Honorary Board Members include Jimmy Kimmel, Jim Lehrer, Steve Almond, and Jess Walter.

"We have a bold goal of touching one million lives by 2022, the 100th birthday of Kurt Vonnegut," said Julia Whitehead, founder and CEO of the KVML. "Especially now, in these volatile times, we need help from our friends all over the world to spread the concepts of common decency and support our for First Amendment rights, voting rights, and the right to go to school without the fear of being gunned down, among other freedoms that Kurt Vonnegut so bravely championed. We appreciate all of our members of our various boards, for each. Each person contributes in unique and meaningful ways, whether they are nationally notable or locally recognized as a community leader and change agent."

Kurt Vonnegut's son, Mark, a writer and pediatrician, said, "My father would have wanted a library and museum in his name to be in Indianapolis. Those of us who volunteer to serve on the boards look forward to contributing to more support for veterans, students, teachers, and others in the future; all efforts my father would have endorsed."

For more information about the Vonnegut Library, write to info@vonnegutlibrary.org or call 317-652-1954. Click here to see a short video about the KVML facility, people, and activities.