JOHN A. WRIGHT, Ph. D., ELECTED CHAIR, MISSOURI HUMANITIES COUNCIL BOARD

The Missouri Humanities Council helps the families and communities of Missouri broaden their appreciation of history, literature, and the ideas that shape our democracy. The Council's programs include: READ from the START, family reading initiative; Chautauqua, community celebration of history: Charettes, consulting for museums & cultural institutions; Museum on Main Street rural initiative of the Smithsonian Institution; as well as Grants and initiatives to fund locally generated programs.

The Council is governed by a board of 24 directors, six appointed by the Governor of Missouri, and eighteen elected. Approximately one-half of the directors are individuals from the humanities community such as faculty in one of the disciplines of the humanities, administrators of institutions of higher education, and professional writers and editors in one of the disciplines of the humanities. The other one-half of the directors are individuals from constituencies such as business, labor, agriculture, the professions, minority groups and civic organizations.

John A. Wright, Fulbright scholar, author, and retired school administrator is an adjunct instructor at Fontbonne University. He has served in educational roles ranging from classroom teacher to superintendent of schools, and from elected local and county school board member to community college trustee.
He is the author of seven books on African American history in St. Louis. His book, Discovering African American St. Louis—A Guide to Historic Sites, was voted the second best paperback in St. Louis when it was released in 1994. John is chairman of the board of the St. Louis Center for International Relations, the African Heritage Association, and past trustee for the Missouri Historical Society.

John is the recipient of numerous awards for his work as an educator and author which include, St. Louis Book Award, Julia Davis Award, Harris-Stowe State College Distinguished Service to Education and Alumni Awards, St. Louis University Black Alumni Association "Celerstine Briggs-Johnson Distinguished Service Award" and "Outstanding Service Award," the American Revolution Community Service Award, St. Louis Argus Citizen of the Year Award, St. Louis Sentinel "Yes, I Can" Award, Black World History "Griot Award," and the Institute for Educational Leadership "Distinguished Alumni Award to name a few.

John received his B.A. degree in Elementary Education from Harris-Stowe University, and his Masters and Doctorate in Education Administration from St. Louis University.

A native of St. Louis and Sumner High School graduate, John and his wife Sylvia are the proud parents of three sons, John Jr., Curtis, and David, and seven grandchildren.

MHC is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities, a Federal agency.