The Webby-nominated Series 'Left of Black' Returns for Season 14

Left of Black Season 14 has arrived! We are thrilled to debut a fresh season of Dr. Mark Anthony Neal's Webby-nominated web series, produced by the John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute at Duke University. The season is set to kick off on October 19th, 2023 and we're delighted to announce our inaugural guest: Duke University's very own Dr. Jasmine Nichole Cobb, Professor of African & African American Studies and Art, Art History, and Visual Studies.

Dr. Cobb will join Dr. Neal in a captivating season premiere centered on her groundbreaking new book, New Growth: The Art and Texture of Black Hair (2022). This book explores the profound significance of Afro-textured Black hair and its intricate relationship with the body, space, and visual culture. Additionally, Season 14 will feature the impactful contributions of Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens, Dr. Jennifer Nash, and Dr. Thema Bryant, to name a few.

In this season of Left of Black, we will again introduce you to a brilliant lineup of scholars whose work delves into various aspects of Black life, creativity, scholarship, activism, resilience, and Black excellence. We will begin a brand-new subseries this year, “Hip Hop @50,” that will feature conversations with key musicians and producers who made incredible contributions to the groundbreaking genre. 

“Left of Black Presents: Small Talk at FHI” is another subseries that kicks off with a live in-person event on October 25th, 2023 where Dr. Neal will host Nabil Ayers, son of renowned R&B legend Roy Ayers and the author of My Life in the Sunshine: Searching for My Father and Discovering My Family (2022). The event and live taping will be held at the John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute in our main lecture hall. Stay tuned for more details and a registration link!

Furthermore, this season marks the warm welcome of Jakiah Glass, our newest addition to the Left of Black production team. Jakiah, a recent Mass Communications graduate from North Carolina Central University, now serves as the assistant editor for the series. Her affiliation with the Franklin Humanities Institute began with the Charmaine McKissick-Melton Communications Fellowship, a partnership between Duke and NCCU that targets undergraduate mass communications students. We are eager to witness Jakiah’s skills and expertise shine throughout the post-production process.

Undergraduate Duke and UNC students should be on the lookout for a new and exciting course offering related to the Left of Black production process, taught by Dr. Neal himself. More information is soon to come. 

 

With an exceptional lineup of scholars, thought-provoking discussions, and a live event on the horizon, we invite you to join us in celebrating the exploration of Black life, creativity, and excellence through Left of Black’s newest season. With the anticipation of a new website in 2023, the future of the web series is brighter than ever. Stay tuned for a season that promises to leave an indelible mark on your web series lineup. Don't miss out, because the journey is just beginning, and it's bound to be nothing short of extraordinary!