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W. Kamau Bell            

Stand-Up Comedian, TV Host & Author Best Known for "United Shades of America"

W Kamau Bell has been an active voice in both the comedy and documentary fields. As a host, he has engaged audiences through the CNN documentary series "United Shades of America" since 2016 and the live radio show and podcast "Kamau Right Now" on KALW. Additionally, he co-hosts the podcasts "Denzel Washington Is The Greatest Actor Of All Time Period" and "Politically Re-Active." His work in directing and producing the documentary miniseries "We Need to Talk About Cosby" was recognized with a Peabody Award in 2022.

Bell's accomplishments extend to his written work and advocacy roles. In 2017, he published his first book "The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: Tales of a 6'4, African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama's Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian". He is also the co-author of the New York Times bestselling book "Do The Work: An Antiracist Activity Book". He has also served as an advisory board member for Race Forward, a racial justice think tank, and Hollaback!, an anti-harassment organization. In 2013, Bell was named the American Civil Liberties Union celebrity ambassador on racial justice, demonstrating his commitment to social issues. He is on the board of directors of DonorsChoose - a non-profit that helps teachers raise money for class projects, and Live Free - a non-profit dedicated to ending gun violence, mass incarceration, and mass criminalization.

Alongside his roles as a host and advocate, Bell has also found success in the field of comedy. His comedy albums include "One Night Only," released in 2007, and "Private School Negro" released in 2018. Furthermore, his work as the executive producer and director of the CNN series "United Shades of America" from 2016 to 2022 and his direction and production of the 2023 documentary "1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed" display a breadth of creative skills and talents.

Speech Topics


The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour

Just like skinny jeans, superhero movies, and celebrity weight loss, racism continues to make a comeback. Luckily for us, campus speaker W. Kamau Bell is here to make (non)sense of all of it all. "The Curve" is a comedic, topical exploration of the current state of America's racism, combined with a little (unknown) history, a little Powerpoint, and a whole bunch of Kamau. And because racism is always attacking in new ways and from new angles, Kamau attacks back by constantly adding new material. "The Curve" is a seamless mix of stand-up comedy, video and audio clips, personal stories, knowledge-dropping, and solo theatrical performance.

News


There's So Much More to Say About Bill Cosby | Time
Jan 20, 2022 ... Comedian W. Kamau Bell on why, despite a host of reasons not to, he decided to make a new Showtime docuseries about his one-time idol.
W. Kamau Bell Is Terrified for People to See His Bill Cosby ...
Jan 26, 2022 ... Last June, W. Kamau Bell was wrapping up We Need to Talk About Cosby—a four-part Showtime docuseries that examines Bill Cosby's career through the context ...
United Shades of America - CNN.com
Follow comedian and political gadfly W. Kamau Bell as he explores the far corners of our country and its various groups and subcultures.

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