Kenya Barris Urges Students to Use their Voice

"Tell your story" was one of the main themes communicated by Kenya Barris during his address to the School from his home in Toluca Lake, Calif, on October 1. Mr. Barris, the creator of ABC’s Emmy-nominated series Black-ish also spoke about the creative process and leadership. Belmont Hill is grateful to Philmore Anderson '82, a co-director of Belmont Hill's Multicultural Alumni Partnership (MAP), for moderating the virtual visit with Mr. Barris. In addition to the interview-style presentation by Mr. Anderson, Mr. Barris also candidly answered the boys' wide variety of questions. 
 
The TV series Black-ish, which is based on Mr. Barris’ own life, has won a Peabody Award and an AFI Award and has held NAACP’s title of Best Comedy Series for four consecutive years. After premiering the hit spinoff series, Grown-ish, he has since announced his upcoming series Besties and Bewitched. In 2017, he was awarded the Humanitas Prize as well as the Outstanding Writing NAACP Image Award in 2016 and 2017.
 
Belmont Hill's MAP Speaker Series, funded by the Diversity Initiative Fund, aims to partner with speakers whose views, work, and experience align with our mission as a school to develop men of good character by educating them in mind, body, and spirit.