New Britain Branch of the NAACP holding annual Freedom Fund Dinner on September 30

Courtesy of the New Britain Branch of the NAACP:

The New Britain Branch NAACP will hold its annual Freedom Fund Dinner on September 30, 2006 at CCSU's Student Center (Alumni Hall), Ella Grasso Boulevard, New Britain, CT beginning with a Social Hour at 6 P. M. and Dinner at 7 P.M. Master of Ceremonies for the event will be Channel 8's Co-Anchor Keith Kountz. The Keynote Speaker will be Mr. Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, of People's Organization For Progress located in Newark, New Jersey. Special awards will be presented to State Treasurer Denise Lynn Nappier; Mr. John Turner of Blaze Barber Shop; Mr. Terry Forde of Terry Forde Daycare;Ms. Kim Burkes, Treasurer of New Britain Branch NAACP; and Ronald Williams, Slade Middle School teacher. Tickets will be available at the door, but reservations are preferred by contacting President Ronald P. Davis at (860)827-8322 or by sending him an e-mail; or call Mrs. Elizabeth Nkonoki-Ward at (860)229-2426 or (860)462-7401.

The Master of Ceremonies for the Freedom Fund Dinner, Keith Kountz, first came to News Channel 8 in 1987 as a reporter. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Weekend Anchor. In 1994, he became co-anchor of Connecticut’s top rated early morning newscast “Good Morning Connecticut at 5am” and “Good Morning Connecticut at 6am.” Kountz also co-anchored News Channel 8 at Noon. In 1998, Kountz left Connecticut to become a main anchor at WJXX in Jacksonville, Florida. Kountz returned to News Channel 8 in December of 1999 and is now the co-anchor of News Channel 8 at 5, and News Channel 8 at 10 on UPN 9.

While at WTNH, Keith Kountz received acclaim for his news series called “Who We Are,” which focused on individuals, organizations, and issues important to minorities throughout the state. He also hosted “Wednesday’s Child,” a weekly series that featured children in need of adoption. As a part of the greater New Haven community for more than 13 years, Keith has worked closely with a variety of charities. Some of these include the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the Boys and Girls Club.

Before working in New Haven, Keith served in a similar capacity at WIXT-TV in Syracuse, New York. He has also worked at WSAV – TV in Savannah, Georgia and WPDE – TV in Florence, South Carolina. Keith has been the recipient of more than 40 civic and professional awards, including the Great New haven NAACP Media Award (2000), the Greater New Haven 40 under 40 Award (1997), and LIN Television’s “Circle of Excellence” award.

An avid golfer, Keith and his wife, Dawn, are the parents of two daughters.