Charlotte native Calvin Brown Jr., a successful TV producer and writer, is the 2017 Africana Studies Artist-in-Residence.
As part of this residency, Brown will guest lecture in classes, meet with students in a brown bag question-and-answer session and work with select students to produce a short film on the history of the Africana Studies Department. UNC Charlotte students will take on roles as writers, researchers, producers, editors and videographers. He will be at the University Monday, March 13, through Thursday, March 23.
“Brown's residency will provide students with introductory hands-on experience in film production and a unique chance to work with a veteran TV producer and writer,” said Akin Ogundiran, professor and chair of the Africana Studies Department. “Any student who is interested in studying with Mr. Brown and has completed at least one course in Africana Studies should contact Dr. Debra Smith at debrasmi@uncc.edu with a 150-word statement of interest by March 10.”
In a Hollywood career spanning more than 30 years, Brown has achieved notoriety as a producer and writer. Currently, he is a creative consultant and writer for the popular TV series “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” which stars comedian Kevin Hart. In the early 1990s, he was the executive director of a self-created television series “My Brother and Me” that aired on Nickelodeon; it was based on his life growing up in Charlotte with his parents and two sisters. Other notable producer credits include the hit television shows “The Proud Family,” “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” “A Different World,” “Living Single,” “Meet the Browns,” “Moesha,” and “Married with Children.”
Established in 2009, the Africana Artist-in-Residence program showcases the work of artists whose original perspectives and creative energy advance a deep understanding of the experiences of Africana peoples worldwide.
Previous artists-in-residence include Tayo Aluko, an award-winning performer known for his work on Paul Robeson (2010); John Perpener III, dancer, historian and scholar (2011); Barbara Higgins Bond, an award-winning illustrator (2012); Kasali Akangbe, master woodcarver, folklorist and environmental activist (2013); Baritone Emery Stephens (2014); and Tommie Robinson, an award-winning member of the Guild of Charlotte Artists (2015).