W. Kamau Bell

Oakland

Host at United Shades of America

Host at W. Kamau Bell asks, “Who’s with Me?

Check out my newest project THE ROOKIE at the link below.

Articles

You Are The Hero You’ve Been Waiting For (second attempt)

1 week ago | wkamaubell.substack.com | W. Kamau Bell

Hi, readers! I made a mistake when I published this post on Friday. I made the foolish decision to send it out myself, instead of letting Kelly do it, like she usually does. That meant that I accidentally sent it only to my paid subscriber list, instead of my entire subscriber list. If this writing already made its way to you, please forgive the double email, and thank you for your ongoing support. It means a lot in these challenging times. - WKBI have some really bad news for you.
You Are The Hero You’ve Been Waiting For

2 weeks ago | wkamaubell.substack.com | W. Kamau Bell

I have some really bad news for you. I apologize in advance for what I have to tell you. But here goes. No one is going to stop the ongoing fascist takeover of America except for you. You, the person reading this, right now. In the movie about this moment, you’re the hero. The camera is zooming in on you. You are the one – despite not being ready, not being prepared, not being trained (or not yet finished with your training) – on whom the fate of the universe rests.
Skrmetti, Obergefell, and the Path Forward for LGBTQIA+ Rights with Chase Strangio

3 weeks ago | aclu.org | W. Kamau Bell |Chase Strangio

Prisoners' Rights LGBTQ Rights WASHINGTON – A federal district court judge has granted a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of a Trump Administration executive order prohibiting federal Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) officials from providing gender-affirming hormone therapy and accommodations to transgender people. The injunction does not require BOP to provide gender-affirming surgical care.
Is It Really Last Call In America?

4 weeks ago | wkamaubell.substack.com | W. Kamau Bell

Earlier this week I had the immense pleasure of interviewing one of my favorite bands ever, Fishbone, at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. It was a great evening. I interviewed them. We did an audience Q&A, and then Fishbone played some of their classic songs and a few songs from their new album, Stockholm Syndrome. It comes out June 27. Needless to say, I took this assignment very seriously. I wanted the band to have fun. I wanted the audience to have fun.
May Office Hours with Jeopardy’s Michael Davies

1 month ago | wkamaubell.substack.com | W. Kamau Bell |Embassy Davies

I knew I’d learn a thing or two from Michael Davies, the executive producer of Jeopardy! (and other beloved game shows) but this conversation far exceeded my expectations. Check it out. Join me for next month’s office hours in the app:Get more from W. Kamau Bell in the Substack app Available for iOS and Android
Know Your Education Rights with ReNika Moore

1 month ago | aclu.org | W. Kamau Bell |ReNika Moore

It may be graduation season, but here on At Liberty, class is still in session—and this week, we’re exploring students’ right to learn. Since the Trump administration took office, schools across the country have faced book bans, funding cuts, and a rollback in civil rights protections. This week, ReNika Moore—Director of the ACLU's Racial Justice Program—joins W. Kamau Bell to discuss what’s at stake for K-12 and higher education institutions, and why equal access to education must be protected.
Doug McMillion is a real person, I swear.

1 month ago | wkamaubell.substack.com | W. Kamau Bell

I can’t imagine being Michael B. Jordan. On the surface, of course I can’t imagine being him. He seems like he was built in a laboratory to be a 21st century A-list movie star. He’s handsome, but not intimidatingly so. Broadshouldered but not weighed down with muscle…unless he needs to be. He’s one of the few adult men who can somehow pull off having a mustache without looking like a creeper. Also he can act. In fact, he can really, really act.
It’s an Ugly Day in America’s Neighborhood

1 month ago | wkamaubell.substack.com | W. Kamau Bell

I remember the first documentary that totally blew my mind. It features all the qualities of the best documentaries. It is smart, surprising, informative, sublime, beautifully filmed and scored. And just like the best documentaries, it makes your next conversation better, because you have something new and interesting to talk about. “I just saw this amazing documentary. You must see it.”Of course, I’m talking about Mr. Rogers’ How Crayons Are Made. Actually, I don't know if that is what it is called.
I won Celebrity Jeopardy!

1 month ago | wkamaubell.substack.com | W. Kamau Bell

The cat’s finally out of the bag! I am the winner of season 3 of Celebrity Jeopardy! When I say “finally” I mean finally. I’ve been holding this secret since the finals were taped in November 2024. I hope you all forgive me for not telling you. I was sworn to secrecy. (And I’m guessing I signed stuff saying I couldn’t tell.) It has been slightly maddening to regularly talk about being on Celebrity Jeopardy! and not be able to say, “I’M NOT JUST ON IT.
Know Your Digital Privacy Rights with Esha Bhandari and Daniel Kahn Gillmor

2 months ago | aclu.org | Esha Bhandari |W. Kamau Bell |Daniel Kahn Gillmor

Free Speech Immigrants' Rights Whether a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. can be arrested and detained on the basis of their political speech and advocacy. Mahdawi V. Trump. Explore Case.