A Crowning Achievement
November 19, 2024
Khalil Munir is an accomplished actor, dancer, educator, and storyteller, and now he has one more noteworthy role to add to his resume: Hamilton Life Achievement Award recipient! Mr. Munir, who was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was 14 years old, will be the latest Hamilton honoree when he joins us at school on March 7, 2025.
While there are several reasons why he is a fitting recipient, it’s his “The Crown Is Yours” book series that is most directly connected to the Life Achievement Award, which recognizes people who have used their learning differences to their advantage in accomplishing great things. The series’ main character, Malik, is a boy with a learning difference who transforms his anxiety into courage. Malik’s journey is based on Mr. Munir’s own experiences.
“We are thrilled to honor Khalil Munir as this year’s Hamilton Life Achievement Award recipient,” shares Head of the Hamilton School at Wheeler Bill McCarthy. “Khalil has persevered through many obstacles in life, including managing his dyslexia and related learning differences, and throughout this process, he discovered his many incredible talents by harnessing his inner strength.”
Prior to learning that he had dyslexia, Mr. Munir says he always felt “less than.” Now as an educator and communicator, he believes in the importance of representation. As explained on his website, he wrote “The Crown Is Yours” books “to show little brown boys that they are powerful, no matter their circumstances. He wants all readers to know they are worthy, capable, and have the right to wear their crown and stand in their power.”
In addition to being a writer, Mr. Munir is recognized as an award-winning creative artist who may be best known for his one-man show, “1 Pound 4 Ounces,” that combines impassioned storytelling with music, singing, and improvisational tap dance. He is a drama instructor at Delaware Valley Friends School and performs his work for both students and adults throughout the year at the National Museum of American Jewish History.
Mr. Munir will be the 30th recipient of the Hamilton Life Achievement Award. He follows a distinguished list of previous honorees, who include deep-sea explorer Robert D. Ballard, paleontologist Jack Horner, and polar explorer Ann Bancroft. While each recipient comes to campus with different backgrounds and achievements, they all serve as an inspiration to the school community. Since its founding in 1988, The Hamilton School at Wheeler has provided students who have great cognitive ability, but who struggle with reading, organization, and study skills due to learning differences, with the individualized instruction that leads to success, all in the context of a larger independent school.
Mr. Munir will be honored in a full day of sessions with the Wheeler community on March 7, culminating in the Mind Your ps and qs event that evening. “I’m super excited to be a part of this event,” he says. “I’m so thrilled you chose me to be this year’s honoree. It is very humbling.”
If you would like to learn more about the Hamilton School at Wheeler, we invite you to visit the Hamilton School website. An invitation with a registration link for the March 7 Mind Your ps and qs event will be shared with all members of the Wheeler community in January.
