CNN Host W. Kamau Bell to Bring His Insights to Distinguished Lecture Series

W. Kamau Bell
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W. Kamau Bell

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – W. Kamau Bell, San Francisco-based comedian, satirist and host of CNN's United Shades of America has built his career on candid, insightful and hilarious commentary on race, politics and issues in modern American society.

He will bring those qualities and more to the student-sponsored Distinguished Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, at the Fayetteville Town Center, 15 W. Mountain St. Doors will open at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

In the Emmy-nominated United Shades of America, Bell travels the country, offering viewers eye-opening looks inside American subcultures, including an episode that featured the Ku Klux Klan.

Bell first came to fame in 2007, with his one-man show, “The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour,” which he periodically updates as part of his lecture appearances.

Bell followed that success with the FX comedy series, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. He is also known for co-hosting popular podcasts, Denzel Washington is The Greatest Actor of All Time Period and Politically Reactive, in addition to the live public radio show, Kamau Right Now!

Bell’s perspective has been described as “post-modern,” “provocative,” “level-headed” and “very human.” His goal is to promote understanding, start conversations – and make people laugh.

The Distinguished Lecture Series is a student-sponsored program, a part of the Office of Student Activities. For accomodations due to disability please contact the Office of Student Activities, osa@uark.edu, or call 479-575-5255.

Speakers are chosen by a committee of students, faculty and staff, and the events are funded by students who pay the student activities fee, appropriated by the Programs Allocation Board. Recent speakers have included Bill Nye, Brandon Stanton and Abby Wambach.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.

Contacts

Rachel Ungar, chair
Distinguished Lecture Series Committee
479-575-5255, lectures@uark.edu

Steve Voorhies, manager of media relations
University Relations
479-575-3583, voorhies@uark.edu

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