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W. Kamau Bell

  • 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 an ACLU Artist Ambassador. 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:
  • Humility and Conviction in Public Life
  • Indiana University
  • Facing Race A National Convention
  • A Major Law Firm
  • University of California, Santa Barbara
  • MV CDO Summit
  • Gateway Public Schools
  • Boston University
  • Robert Toigo Foundation
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...
More rave reviews

"Kamau was amazing."

-Robert Toigo Foundation

"The event was fabulous. Kamau was amazing!"

-MV CDO Summit

"The university, the faculty and students - all LOVED Kamau...this is our second time with him, and now we all want him back a third time next year - but IN PERSON! The students across our campus were completely engaged in the webinar...Many positive comments on the part focused on how to talk with people who disagree, and how to gauge 'trusted' sources. Thank you and thanks to Kamau and the entire team that made this happen!"

-University of California, Santa Barbara
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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 Schatz bring joy, laughter, and levity to anti-racism work, and inspire audiences to listen, show up, and do better.

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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 reflection and dialogue as Bell invites them to join a dynamic conversation on the ever-evolving tapestry of contemporary American life.

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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) 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.

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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 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.

Books by W. Kamau Bell
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Biography
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