'Amazing Grace' film consultant to speak at the library
YORK VILLAGE - Award-winning author and historian Kevin Belmonte will present a special program at the York Public Library at 7 p.m. this Friday, May 4, on his book, "William Wilberforce: A Hero for Humanity."
The book is the definitive biography of the English statesman who, two centuries ago, overcame incredible odds to bring about the end of slavery and the slave trade. Called "the wittiest man in England" and praised by Abraham Lincoln, Wilberforce worked tirelessly to accomplish his goal.
For the last five years, Belmonte has served as the lead historical consultant for the major motion picture "Amazing Grace: The William Wilberforce Story," which is now playing to major acclaim in theaters across the country. You may view the trailer at http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/.
This is the true account of how one man's vision, courage and relentless pursuit of justice brought freedom to thousands of people and changed the course of history.
Belmonte is a visiting author at Gordon College, where he has served as the director of the Wilberforce Project, an initiative fostering scholarship concerning all aspects of Wilberforce's life and legacy. He is the winner of the 2003 John Pollock Award for Christian Biography. He has also served as script consultant for the William Wilberforce episode of the Great Britons series on the BBC.
He has spoken in the House of Parliament, on several occasions on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and recently spoke at the State Department as part of a memorial program honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. His 2002 lecture in Washington, "William Wilberforce: Friend of Humanity," aired several times during Black History Month as part of the Booknotes series on C-SPAN.
Belmonte lives in York - his home town - with his wife, Kelly, and son, Sam.
