The James Brown African American Room at the Newark Public Library presents our 2026 Black History Celebration!
What's So Funny?!: Black Comedy in America from Vaudeville to Right Now
What's So Funny?!:
Black Comedy in America from Vaudeville to Right Now
Over generations, the spirit of resistance and truth-telling has remained prevalent in the world of African American comedy. Comics have pushed back against stereotypes, explored the richness and complexity of Black life and offered incisive social commentary, finding ways to create joy, connection, and laughter even amid struggle and hardship. This celebration is in honor of those who came before and those who carry that spirit forward.
This year’s Black History Celebration series features two programs and an exhibit!
Photo courtesy of Henry Diltz. www.henrydiltz.com
Photo courtesy of Henry Diltz. www.henrydiltz.com
The Exhibit
The Exhibit
The Programs
The Programs
A Conversation with Rain Pryor
Saturday, February 7th, 2026 | 2 PM
Reception at 1PM
Newark Public Library
James Brown African American Room, 2nd Fl.
Free offsite parking at 85 Orange St. Newark, NJ 07102
Rain Pryor
Rain Pryor director, writer, wife and mother. Pryor shares her views on race and has lead panel discussions on diversity in education and in the entertainment industry at Princeton University, The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, Chicago and Baltimore, Atlanta, and Cannes.
Pryor, has also received honors for her commitment to arts education by Business Women of Baltimore, and Baltimore Department of Education.
Her leadership skills began back in the early 90s when Rain was part of a gang ceasefire in Los Angeles, and was an substance abuse dual diagnosis counselor, and helped establish treatment protocols for two rehabs in Los Angeles. Rain used all of her experiences to run for local office in Baltimore MD in the 3rd District in 2019.
Pryor is a Schusterman Fellow, developing her leadership skills and participating in panel discussions on race and intersectionality, helping to find the “Both/Ands” during a time of conflict.
Pryor is truly brilliant performer. Her performances are considered thought provoking through truthful storytelling, and she has spot on mimicry, which landed her to be nominated by the NAACP three times. She won an NAACP for her irreverent solo show “Fried Chicken & Latkes, and for her role as the evil stepsister in the Michael Jackson produced musical Sisterella. She was nominated for the prestigious ADELCO Awards for her Off Broadway run at the National Black Theatre in Harlem.
Her writing and performance in her award winning solo show lead to a television development deal with Norman Lear, the creator of The Jefferson’s and All In The Family. And she is currently in pre-production for her film directorial debut, to be filmed in Baltimore MD, and Nigeria.
The One and Only Dick Gregory- Film Screening and Conversation
Saturday, February 14th, 2026 | 12:30 PM
Join us for a screening of the documentary, The One and Only Dick Gregory, followed by a discussion with Dr. Christian Gregory, son of Dick Gregory, and local civil rights activist and organizer Larry Hamm.
Newark Public Library
James Brown African American Room, 2nd Fl.
Free offsite parking at 85 Orange St. Newark, NJ 07102
Dr. Christian Gregory
Dr. Christian Claxton Gregory is a distinguished chiropractor, author, producer, entrepreneur, and thought leader who proudly carries forward the powerful legacy of his father, the legendary comedian, activist, and wellness pioneer Dick Gregory.
Born in Chicago in 1970 as the eighth child of Dick and Lillian Gregory, Dr. Gregory was raised on a sprawling farm in Plymouth, Massachusetts. There, amid a family lifestyle centered on periodic fasting, meditation, and Christian Gregory Biography holistic living, he developed a profound fascination with science human physiology and the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Morgan State University and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University. For over 25 years, Dr. Gregory maintained a thriving practice in Washington, DC, where he provided care to a remarkable array of influential figures, including civil rights icons Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Betty Shabazz, and Dorothy Height; acclaimed entertainers Cicely Tyson and Stevie Wonder; and countless community leaders and everyday residents.
Dr. Gregory’s multifaceted career bridges activism, health, entertainment, and innovation. He served as his father’s business manager and they co-founded Dick Gregory Media, Inc. in 2015 to preserve and amplify Dick Gregory’s voice through media, arts, and wellness initiatives. Following his father’s passing in 2017, Dr. Gregory took the helm as estate manager, guiding acclaimed projects that celebrate his father’s enduring impact. These include the critically acclaimed Broadway-bound play Turn Me Loose, the docu-series Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution, and the Emmy-nominated documentary The One and Only Dick Gregory—for which he received an Executive Producer Emmy nomination.
The One and Only Dick Gregory
The One and Only Dick Gregory is a feature-length documentary examining activist, pop-culture icon and thought leader Dick Gregory, whose work as a self-described ‘agitator’ shaped a generation demanding justice. As a renowned Black comedian, Gregory had a platform to take on the most incendiary battles of hunger, gender equity, and civil rights — stirring trouble and making headlines in the service of social justice. Featuring Gregory’s personal reflections, archival footage and interviews with the artists he influenced — including Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and Wanda Sykes. (Amazon)
