For writer and culture critic Tre Johnson, the brilliance of Black culture exists all around him: The ‘90s-style airbrushed tees, his auntie’s packed weekend trips, and sharp-tongued comedian Dick Gregory – are these not all examples of genius?
In his essay collection Black Genius: Essays on an American Legacy, Johnson asked readers to ponder this question. The Philadelphia resident interweaves his own stories with pop culture and American history to make the case of what qualifies as genius.
Johnson joined us to discuss the book in the latest installment of our Booklight PA book club author series. Watch the conversation here:
This event is in partnership with A Novel Idea, a community-minded bookstore and event space in East Passyunk, Philadelphia, run by Alexander Schneider and Christina Rosso-Schneider. Read more about A Novel Idea and purchase your books here.
Upcoming Booklight PA events:
June 25: Mother Tongue with author Sara Novic