The journey of Black comedy in America is a story of laughter, resistance, and cultural power. This is the central thesis of Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to '90s Sitcoms, the new book from Peabody Award-winning journalist and PBS NewsHour co-anchor Geoff Bennett.

Bridging Journalism and Pop Culture Legacy

Bennett, who has covered the White House through six presidential election cycles, brings an investigative journalist's rigor to cultural history. His book charts a course from vaudeville through the groundbreaking work of Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor, and Whoopi Goldberg, culminating in the golden age of 1990s television. Drawing on intimate interviews with Martin Lawrence, Robert Townsend, and Keenan Ivory Wayans, Bennett reveals:

-How Black comedians functioned as cultural theorists, embedding social critiques within commercially viable humor

-The behind-the-scenes politics that shaped iconic shows like Martin, Living Single, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

-The lasting impact these artists had on American attitudes toward race and identity

A Conversation on the Revolutionary History of Black Comedy

This event combines a White House correspondent who chronicles cultural revolution and an actor who lived it. Darryl M. Bell is best known for his role as Ron Johnson on A Different World, a series that built on this comedic legacy. Over six seasons, the show used comedy and an HBCU setting to tackle discrimination, AIDS, and apartheid, setting a new standard for television. Together, they'll unpack how the shows we grew up watching were moments of cultural transformation happening in real time.

The evening includes an author conversation, audience Q&A, and book signing.