Springfield honoring late comedian Kenny DeForest with festival

Comedian Kenny DeForest Honored on His Birthday in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tuesday, April 23, would have been comedian Kenny DeForest’s 38th birthday.

Proclamation by Mayor Ken McClure

“To be able to do a proclamation to say that this is Kennedy DeForest Day in the city of Springfield, that’s special,” said Mayor Ken McClure.

Born and raised in Springfield, DeForest was a well-known comedian who suddenly passed away after being hit by a car in December.

McClure presented a proclamation Tuesday afternoon to a packed house, stating that April 23 will forever be Kenny DeForest Day for the city of Springfield.

Kenny DeForeFEST Comedy Festival

That’s not the only thing being done to celebrate DeForest’s memory.

Tuesday was also the start of the Kenny DeForeFEST, a comedy festival running through this weekend that will be bringing in some big names in comedy.

Comedian Clark Jones Remembers Kenny DeForest

“He was the star of Springfield, and I’m thankful to the city for sharing him with us,” said Clark Jones, who has known DeForest since 2009.

Jones said the two met outside an open-mic night in Chicago and immediately became brothers.

“He brought comedians to Springfield and introduced a lot of comedians, New York, L.A., wherever, to his hometown,” Jones said. “And it wasn’t a humble introduction. He was very proud of where he was from.”

Continuation of the Kenny DeForeFEST

The Kenny DeForeFEST had already been in the works for about a year.

“After December and his untimely passing, I just felt like it had to be done,” Jones said.

Support from Blue Room Comedy Club

Chris Richele, the owner of the Blue Room Comedy Club, says this festival will continue for years to come.

“For Springfield to have its first-ever comedy festival, and especially to have it in his honor, is really exciting,” Richele said.

Richele says the Blue Room wanted to support DeForest the same way he supported Springfield, even shaving his head in memory of Kenny.

Community Support and Recognition

Mayor McClure said today was a good day to honor a “hometown hero.”

“Our community is very, very proud of him,” McClure said. “Not surprised, but very proud.”

DeForest’s parents, Roger and Pam, say they are amazed by the support from the community.

“Someone’s always come by saying something nice,” Roger DeForest said, “and you shed a tear, but then you share laughter.”

Kenny’s Impact on the World

“We think if everybody would be like Kenny the world be a better place,” Roger said.

Kenny DeForeFEST Performers

Some of the performers for the DeForeFEST include Hannibal Buress and Liza Treyger. For full event details, click here.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article mentions a comedy festival being held in honor of Kenny DeForest, indicating a celebration of his life and achievements.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The article mentions that DeForest brought comedians to Springfield and introduced them to his hometown, which could be seen as a form of education and cultural exchange.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article highlights DeForest’s impact on the comedy scene in Springfield and his pride in his hometown, which could contribute to reducing inequalities in the entertainment industry.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article mentions that April 23 will forever be Kenny DeForest Day for the city of Springfield, indicating a commitment to honoring local talents and fostering a sense of community.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property. This target can be connected to SDG 1: No Poverty, as the celebration of Kenny DeForest’s life and achievements can be seen as promoting equal rights and access to resources for all individuals.
• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. This target can be connected to SDG 4: Quality Education, as DeForest’s introduction of comedians to his hometown can be seen as promoting cultural diversity and education in the field of comedy.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or another status. This target can be connected to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, as DeForest’s impact on the comedy scene in Springfield and his pride in his hometown can be seen as promoting inclusion and reducing inequalities in the entertainment industry.
• Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. This target can be connected to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, as the proclamation of Kenny DeForest Day in Springfield indicates a commitment to preserving and celebrating local cultural heritage.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.4.1: Proportion of the population living in households with access to basic services. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 1.4, as it assesses the access to basic services for all individuals.
• Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 4.7, as it assesses the integration of sustainable development education in national education systems.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 10.2, as it assesses the economic inclusion and poverty levels among different demographic groups.
• Indicator 11.4.1: Total expenditure (public and private) per capita spent on the preservation, protection, and conservation of all cultural and natural heritage, by type of heritage (cultural, natural, mixed, and World Heritage Centre designation), level of government (national, regional, and local/municipal), type of expenditure (operating expenditure/investment) and type of private funding (donations in kind, private non-profit sector, sponsorship, and public-private partnerships). This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 11.4, as it assesses the investment in the preservation of cultural heritage.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table