This Juneteenth, The Emancipator proudly presents the Boston stop of Historically Black Phrases Live!, a national touring game show experience based on the NAACP Image Award-winning book, “Historically Black Phrases: From ‘I Ain’t One Of Your Lil’ Friends’ to ‘Who All Gon’ Be There?’.” Hosted by co-authors jarrett hill and Tre’vell Anderson, HBP Live! is the game show you didn’t know you needed! The show features three notable contestants from the Boston area competing in three rounds of gameplay rooted in trivia about Black culture. The highest-scoring contestant advances to a final round in which they’re tested on all things Boo Boo The Fool — and other Historically Black Phrases! Audience members get a chance to play for prizes, too!
Join us at CitySpace for a night of uproarious fun, all while celebrating and uplifting the cultural contributions of the Black community.
Copies of “Historically Black Phrases” and other books from hill and Anderson will be available for purchase and the authors will sign after the show. There will also be event merch for sale and guests will enjoy a complimentary post-show reception.
CitySpace Tickets
Book bundle: $50.00 (includes admission and one copy of “Historically Black Phrases”)
General: $25.00
Student: $10.00 (must present a valid student ID upon arrival)
WBUR Member discounts are not applicable to this event. Registrants may be contacted by CitySpace about this or future events.
About “Historically Black Phrases”
Black vernacular doesn’t often get its due—despite its enormous influence on mainstream culture—but “Historically Black Phrases” is here to give Black language its flowers. A celebration of more than two hundred staples of Black conversation—from church sayings and units of measure to compliments and reprimands—this sharp and witty guide explores the unique importance of Black expression and communication. “Historically Black Phrases” offers definitions and notable pop culture moments, as well as tips on pronunciation and usage of phrases like “feelin’ yourself,” “don’t get it twisted” and “pop off.” In addition to the phrases, short essays offer insight on different facets of Black language from scholars, entertainers, and pop culture commentators (i.e. everybody and they mama)
Authors, journalists and hosts of the award-winning podcast “FANTI,” jarrett hill and Tre’vell Anderson examine each phrase with humor and cultural precision, making Historically Black Phrases a vital ode to how Black language influences the world.
Meet the contestants
Sunn m’Cheaux
The first and only instructor of Gullah — a people and language born out of the African American communities in the coastal southeast United States — at Harvard University, m’Cheaux has had a storied career as a musician, activist and academic. M’Cheaux’s personal mantra in all his endeavors is “we outchea,” a celebratory Gullah/Geechee affirmation meaning “we are out here.”
Porsha Olayiwola
A Chicago native, Olayiwola is a writer, performer, educator and curator who uses afro-futurism and surrealism to examine historical and current issues in the Black, woman, and queer diasporas. In 2019, she was appointed the Poet laureate of Boston.
Claudiane Philippe
From UX designer, to model, to social media marketer, Philippe does it all. As the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Nail the Cocktail, she combined the years of bartending experience that got her through two degrees with her social media savvy to showcase the art of mixology and highlight the Boston restaurant scene.