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.

OTHER BOOKLIGHT PA EVENTS:

Mother Tongue, Sara Novic. Watch here.

Sidle Creek, Jolene McIlwain. Watch here.

Shut Up and Read, Jeannine Cook. Watch here.

Journalists discuss Gov. Josh Shapiro’s memoir. Watch here.

If Sons, Then Heirs, Lorene Cary. Watch here.

Saturnalia, Stephanie Feldman. Watch here.

The School for Good Mothers, Jessamine Chan. Watch here.