CHESTERTOWN, MD—On Wednesday, March 26, the Sophie Kerr Lecture Series welcomes New York Times-bestselling author, comedian and satirist Baratunde Thurston to the Washington College campus for a lecture and reading on How to Be Black — the book, that is. Thurston will speak at 4:30 p.m. in Hynson Lounge, Hodson Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Published in 2012, How to Be Black is a satirical how-to manual that weaves anecdotes, interviews, and social commentary into a portrait of ‘blackness’ in contemporary society. From “How to Be the Black Friend” to “How to Speak for All Black People,” Thurston’s examination of racial issues in America is both hilarious and thought provoking. The book was chosen as the 2013-2014 common reading for students in the English Department, and they will have the opportunity to talk with Thurston about it at an informal meet-and-greet to be held before the lecture. While on campus, Thurston also will visit a nonfiction class and join the editorial staff of The Elm student newspaper for lunch.  

Baratunde Thurston is the CEO and co-founder of Cultivated Wit, a “digital storytelling” company, and the former digital director of the satirical news outlet The Onion. He has contributed to the MIT Media Lab as a director’s fellow and has advised the Obama White House on digital strategy and public engagement. A monthly columnist for Fast Company, Thurston co-founded the political blog “Jack and Jill Politics” and has more than 10 years of experience in standup comedy.

– Kimberly Uslin ’14