W. Kamau Bell brings laughter and humor to the stage in ‘An Evening of Comedy’

Williamena Kwapo | OBSERVER Staff Writer W. Kamau Bell, comedian, director, Emmy and Peabody Award-winner, and host of CNN’s docuseries& United Shades of America,& s returning to his comedy roots. On Friday, November 8, he’ll bring his show,& An Evening of Comedy with W. Kamau Bell,& to the Mondavi Center on the UC Davis campus in Davis, California.For seven seasons, Bell served as the host and executive producer of the Emmy-winning& United Shades of America, using the series to dive deep into American communities and highlight their unique challenges. He also earned a Peabody Award for his Showtime docuseries& We Need To Talk About Cosby, and co-authored the New York Times bestseller& Do The Work: An Antiracist Activity Book. As a stand-up comic, Bell has recorded two comedy specials, with his latest,& Private School Negro, available on Netflix.After a five-year break, Bell began a residency at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in January. His show comes just days after Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, making him the 47th president. Bell believes that humor offers a necessary release during difficult times.“Our people would not have survived this country without comedy and the arts”, said Bell. “humor is a defense mechanism...