College of Charleston's “Changemakers” Series Welcomes JK McKnight

The College of Charleston, in partnership with Gray Matters Consulting and the Arts Management Program at the College, will present entrepreneur, creator and experiential stager JK McKnight as a special guest for Changemakers, a series designed to connect innovators in technology, media, the creative arts and business to students, faculty and alumni. The series has also helped to establish the campus as a hub for founders and entrepreneurs to network with early-to-mid-career executives.

Changemakers will be held Thursday, April 3, 1:40-2:55 p.m., in the Albert Simons Center for the Arts, room 380. Dig South founder and CEO Stanfield Gray will moderate the fireside chat.

JK McKnight, renowned entrepreneur, creator and experiential visionary, is best known as the founder of the Forecastle Festival, one of the nation’s premier outdoor events celebrating music, art and activism. Since its inception in 2002 as a grassroots community gathering, the Louisville-based festival has grown into an international sensation, drawing more than 75,000 attendees annually from over 2,100 cities, 49 states and six countries.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to my adopted hometown and school that helped kick start my career in the music industry, sustainability and technology,” said JK McKnight, who studied marine biology at the College. “I look forward to sharing my entrepreneurial  journey, discussing the experiential economy, and all the life and leadership lessons I’ve learned along the way.”

Praised by media outlets including Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Outside Magazine, SPIN, and Garden & Gun, Forecastle has been named one of the “Coolest Festivals in America” and recognized for its $15 million+ annual economic impact on the city of Louisville.

In parallel with the festival’s success, McKnight launched the Forecastle Foundation, an environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting and connecting the world’s natural biodiversity hotspots. These regions, which comprise just 2.3% of the Earth’s surface, harbor over 77% of vertebrate species and 50% of all plant life. Through strategic partnerships with grassroots organizations, the foundation addresses pressing threats such as deforestation, pollution and unsustainable agricultural practices.

Further expanding his mission-driven portfolio, McKnight founded Art of Impact, an experiential agency specializing in festival consulting and brand activations that engage Gen Z and Millennial audiences. The agency designs transformative experiences that drive customer engagement, social impact and community uplift.

McKnight also leads Brandjam, an experiential data solutions company serving the beverage alcohol industry. Brandjam empowers brands with first-party consumer data captured through immersive activations, enabling direct communication, behavior insights and measurable sales growth.

In 2017, Southern Living named McKnight “Southerner of the Year” for his visionary work across the creative, environmental and entrepreneurial landscape.

Notes Chris Burgess, director of the arts management program at the College: “Students and faculty are excited to be part of this impactful series and interact with someone who has meant so much to the field. It truly is an amazing opportunity.”