W. Kamau Bell

EXCLUSIVE
  • Sociopolitical Comedian, Producer, and Documentarian
  • TV Personality and Host, CNN's Emmy Award-Winning 'United Shades with W. Kamau Bell'
  • Critically-Acclaimed Podcaster
  • Author of 'The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell' and New York Times Bestseller 'Do the Work!'

Sociopolitical comedian, Emmy- and Peabody-winning producer, and New York Times bestselling author W. Kamau Bell is a revered cultural commentator, using hilarity and profound insight to illuminate today’s biggest issues – and where we can go from here. He is the host and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning CNN docuseries United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell, in which he explores communities across America to understand the unique challenges they face. Kamau is known for his Netflix stand-up comedy special Private School Negro, his one-man show The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour, and his FX & FXX comedy series Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. 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, is a humorous, well-informed take on the world today from “the most promising new talent in political comedy in many years” (The New York Times). Kamau is the co-author of the New York Times bestseller Do the Work!: An Anti-Racist Activity Book, with Kate Schatz. In sought-after talks, Kamau leverages humor as a tool for transformative conversations.

Kamau serves on the advisory boards of Right To Be (formerly Hollaback!), Donors Choose, and is the ACLU Celebrity Ambassador for Racial Justice. He’s been nominated for multiple NAACP Image Awards, a GLAAD award, and has been featured on Conde Nast’s “Daring 25” list. He has hosted three critically acclaimed podcasts: Kamau Right Now!, Politically Re-Active, and Denzel Washington is The Greatest Actor of All Time Period. Kamau is the director of the critically acclaimed documentary Cultureshock: Chris Rock’s Bring the Pain, and is the director and producer of the four-time Emmy-nominated docuseries We Need to Talk About Cosby. Kamau tackles some of the nation's most longstanding complex issues in accessible and empowering talks for audiences of all kinds.

 



W. Kamau Bell headshot
Past Hosts Include:
  • Boston University
  • Gateway Public Schools
  • MV CDO Summit
  • University of California, Santa Barbara
  • A Major Law Firm
  • Facing Race A National Convention
  • Indiana University
  • Humility and Conviction in Public Life
Rave Reviews About W. Kamau Bell as a Speaker
Kamau was not only as humorous and engaging as we knew he would be, we thought he also did a great job... [getting] to the “meat” of the issues...in a way that was not only engaging, but also enlightening... I know that it had to also be quite interesting and reassuring for those who might have come in prepared to disagree with his viewpoints. It was just an all-around great presentation...

W. Kamau Bell on the power of storytelling | Staffbase - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with W. Kamau Bell
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INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP: Do the Work with Kate Schatz and W. Kamau Bell

In this uplifting and interactive workshop, bestselling co-authors W. KAMAU BELL and Kate Schatz share the origin of their New York Times bestselling Do the Work!: An Anti-Racist Activity Book, the goals of the book, and lead the audience through some of the books transformative activities. Bell and ...

In this uplifting and interactive workshop, bestselling co-authors W. KAMAU BELL and Kate Schatz share the origin of their New York Times bestselling Do the Work!: An Anti-Racist Activity Book, the goals of the book, and lead the audience through some of the books transformative activities. Bell and Schatz bring joy, laughter, and levity to anti-racism work, and inspire audiences to listen, show up, and do better.

Off-Screen Cultural Commentary

In his captivating keynote address, W. KAMAU BELL, a renowned cultural commentator, skillfully navigates the intricate landscape of American culture, infusing humor and insight to unravel complex social issues. Attendees can expect an engaging and thought-provoking exploration that encourages reflec ...

In his captivating keynote address, W. KAMAU BELL, a renowned cultural commentator, skillfully navigates the intricate landscape of American culture, infusing humor and insight to unravel complex social issues. Attendees can expect an engaging and thought-provoking exploration that encourages reflection and dialogue as Bell invites them to join a dynamic conversation on the ever-evolving tapestry of contemporary American life.

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, 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 ...

Just like skinny jeans, superhero movies, and celebrity weight loss, racism continues to make a comeback. Luckily for us, 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.

Do The Work: An Anti-Racist How-To for Allies

W. KAMAU BELL has been talking about race in America on his CNN show, in his podcasts and in his books.  Now he offers a guide for anyone interested in doing the work.  With his disarming humor, Bell offers friendly conversation, challenging quizzes, and facts to those who want to leverage their pri ...

W. KAMAU BELL has been talking about race in America on his CNN show, in his podcasts and in his books.  Now he offers a guide for anyone interested in doing the work.  With his disarming humor, Bell offers friendly conversation, challenging quizzes, and facts to those who want to leverage their privilege for good.  Bell knows that many well intentioned people have read the books, donated and marched, but are stuck with what to do next. This talk by Bell and his writing partner Kate Schatz helps those people take the next steps. This talk is funny, smart, serious, and - most importantly - approachable.

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<p><strong> Kamau Bell is the cultural commentator shaping our political landscape </strong></p>

Kamau Bell is the cultural commentator shaping our political landscape

KAMAU BELL stands out as a compelling cultural commentator, using his wit and insight to dissect complex social issues with humor and depth. Across his many creative projects, from his Emmy Award-winning United Shades of America on CNN to his New York Times bestseller Do the Work, Bell fearlessly explores various facets of American culture, shedding light on diverse perspectives often overlooked in mainstream discourse. His ability to navigate sensitive topics with empathy and authenticity allows him to bridge gaps and spark meaningful conversations on race, identity, and societal norms. Bell's contributions as a cultural commentator resonate for their thought-provoking nature, encouraging audiences to reflect on and engage with the multifaceted tapestry of contemporary American life today.

Watch W. Kamau Bell speak at the MLK Jr. Memorial Library >>

Watch W. Kamau Bell speak at Staffbase >>

<p><strong>W. Kamau Bell’s new family-friendly documentary ‘1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed’ explores race in America</strong></p>

W. Kamau Bell’s new family-friendly documentary ‘1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed’ explores race in America

Emmy and Peabody winner W. KAMAU BELL has released a new HBO documentary 1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed that explores what it means to grow up mixed-race in America. Filmed in Bell’s beloved Bay Area, the family-friendly documentary features his children and their friends, speaking authentically about their experience. As Bell shares in an op-ed for SFGATE: ”Many of the kids talked about feeling comfortable being mixed race and how they didn’t see themselves as being half one thing and half another thing. They saw themselves as 100% of each race. And Myles — who is Filipino and Black — said, ‘I’m 1000% a person’.” As Bell dove deeper into these poignant conversations with his subjects, he learned a valuable lesson – “not only are these kids capable of nuanced conversations about race and racism, but they are also capable of shining through all that noise to be individuals.”

Watch W. Kamau Bell on CBS Mornings >>

Watch W. Kamau Bell on the power of storytelling >>

<p><strong>Creative and artful storyteller W. Kamau Bell has launched Who Knows Best Productions to continue is award-winning work</strong></p>

Creative and artful storyteller W. Kamau Bell has launched Who Knows Best Productions to continue is award-winning work

Award-winning filmmaker, sociopolitical comedian, and New York Times bestselling author W. KAMAU BELL has launched a new production company, Who Knows Best Productions, and inked an overall deal with Boardwalk Pictures. Bell and Boardwalk partnered on the critically acclaimed four-part documentary We Need to Talk About Cosby, which won a Peabody Award. Bell’s new production company will focus on “fostering a diverse creative community and telling revolutionary non-fiction stories by any medium necessary.”

In a statement, a Boardwalk Pictures executive explained why Bell and his new company make a good match: “Kamau is a creative and artful storyteller who sees the full picture: humor, injustice, nuance. He understands the power of sharing a compelling narrative for broad audiences, and we are thrilled to partner with him to further amplify the community and the stories that are so special to him.”

Watch W. Kamau Bell on the power of storytelling >>

Watch W. Kamau Bell on Amanpour & Company >>

<p><strong>W. Kamau Bell and Kate Schatz’ new book <em>Do the Work!</em> is an accessible roadmap to dismantling systemic racism</strong></p>

W. Kamau Bell and Kate Schatz’ new book Do the Work! is an accessible roadmap to dismantling systemic racism

When revered and Emmy-nominated sociopolitical comedian W. KAMAU BELL and bestselling author and organizer KATE SCHATZ teamed up to write their antiracism workbook, they were guaranteed to bring their unique perspectives to create a resource like no other. The New York Times bestselling Do the Work!: An Anti-Racist Activity Book is revelatory and thought-provoking, and features illustrations, puzzles, and more to engage readers in a unique, hands-on understanding of systemic racism – and how to dismantle it.

No strangers to uncomfortable – and transformative – conversations, Kamau and Kate have been engaging for years with complex and nuanced topics through their work. Kamau, who hosts and executive produces the Emmy-winning CNN docuseries United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell, explores communities across America to understand the unique challenges they face, having unexpected and eye-opening conversations about the state of our nation. Kate, the feminist historian, educator, and New York Times bestselling author behind the “Rad Women” series including Rad American Women A-ZRad Women Worldwide, and more, has spoken to hundreds of groups empowering women to become effective political activists. Through their writing, and in high-impact events, Kamau and Kate inspire audiences to think critically, have tough conversations, and do the work that will change the world.

Watch W. Kamau Bell on CONAN >>

Watch Kate Schatz on CONAN >>

<p><strong>A sociopolitical comedian, W. Kamau Bell brings both seriousness and levity to the subjects of race, social justice, and equity - making the conversation accessible to every audience</strong></p>

A sociopolitical comedian, W. Kamau Bell brings both seriousness and levity to the subjects of race, social justice, and equity - making the conversation accessible to every audience

Emmy-winning host and executive producer of CNN’s United Shades of AmericaW. KAMAU BELL is a sociopolitical comedian on race, social justice, and equity who brings both a seriousness and levity to the subjects making them available to every audience. In The Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour, the standup comedian makes (non)sense of race and racism in America. Throughout his work, Bell tackles some of the nation's most longstanding complex issues, in a way that only a brilliant political comedian and social commentator can.

Called “the most promising new talent in political comedy in many years” by The New York Times, Kamau is the person you want to speak with your team and support them with being more open, active, and engaged with pressing social issues of our time.

 

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Biography

W. Kamau Bell is a stand-up comedian, director, producer, husband, and dad. For seven seasons, he was the host and executive producer of the five-time Emmy Award-winning CNN docu-series United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell. In 2023, he won an Emmy for his HBO documentary 1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed. He also won a Peabody Award for his 2022 Showtime docu-series We Need to Talk About Cosby. He is the co-author of the New York Times bestselling book Do the Work!: An Anti-Racist Activity Book and the author of 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. His newest writing project is the substack newsletter, Who's With Me? His comedy special, Private School Negro, is available on Netflix. Kamau is on the board of directors for DonorsChoose, a nonprofit that helps teachers raise money for class projects, and Live Free, a nonprofit dedicated to ending gun violence, mass incarceration, and mass criminalization. Kamau is also the ACLU’s Celebrity Ambassador for Racial Justice. In 2023, Kamau and his wife Melissa Hudson Bell co-founded Who Knows Best Productions, a media production company in Oakland, CA. He cares too much and sleeps too little.