Smart Funny & Black // The Host
Comedian, actress, writer, producer, and more, Amanda Seales doesn’t just make you laugh, she makes change!
With an uncanny knack for taking serious topics (racism, rape culture, sexism, police brutality, etc.) and with humor, making them relatable and interesting, she combines intellectual wit, silliness, and a pop culture obsession to create her unique style of smart funny content for the stage and screens.
Amanda Seales is a comedian and creative visionary with a Master’s in African American studies from Columbia University. Seamlessly blending humor and intellect her unique style of smart funny content spans various genres across the entertainment and multi-media landscape. She is best known for her iconic role as, “Tiffany DuBois” of HBO’s Insecure, her debut stand up comedy special, “I Be Knowin”, as a former cohost on daytime talk show, “The Real”, host of NBCs “Bring the Funny,” and the host/writer of the groundbreaking 2020 BET Awards. She speaks truth to change via her wildly popular instagram @AmandaSeales, weekly podcast, “Small Doses”, and book by the same name. Centering community building in her comedy, she is also the creator/host of the sold out touring, and now virtual, variety game show, “Smart Funny & Black.” Always an advocate for Black voices, she founded Smart Funny & Black Productions to produce and create art as edu-tainment across the media landscape by any joke necessary
A Jedi Khaleesi with a patronus that’s a Black Panther with wings, Amanda Seales continues to keep audiences laughing, thinking, and living in their truth!
SFB Mission
“By any Joke Necessary!” –Frustrated with the constant negative images of black people in media, unchecked appropriation, and the overall lack of education in African American history, (I mean, how did we not know about the, “Hidden Figures” women!?), Amanda Seales decided to use her humor, her Master’s degree in African American Studies, from Columbia University, and her love of games and music, to create a game show that serves as a safe space for the Black voice, and celebrates the many contributions Black Americans have made to history, pop culture and more!
The Show
Smart Funny & Black, Created by comedian/actress/producer, Amanda Seales (HBO Insecure) brings your favorite funny folks to the “Hall of Flava,” to compete, in a head to head battle of wits that tests their knowledge of black history, black culture, and the black experience. After a night of fun as hell games, flanked by a live band, and a turnt up audience, each show ends with one guest, literally, taking the “L”, the other, taking the crown, and being inducted into the, “Illustrious League of Master Blacksperts”.
The World of Smart Funny & Black
Blacksperts
A blackspert is anyone who has proficient knowledge, respect and valid opinions that encourage the protection, credible critique, and advancement of black culture. Basically, regardless of race, anyone who proves, through jokes, that they’re up on the dopeness, and down with the cause!
The Illustrious League of Master Blacksperts
Comprised of iconic contributors to black culture, the, “Illustrious League of Master Blacksperts” is a fictional society, made up of hella real folks. From Tupac to James Baldwin, Frederick Douglas to Oprah, Snoop to Nina Simone, and more, our guests compete for the highest honor of joining their exclusive ranks.
The Fams
Just like the houses of Hogwart’s or the Greek life at HBCUs the Fans within SFB represent shared interests that once again show the variance of black identity while still acknowledging the unity amongst us.
The Hall of Flava
A safe space where the uniqueness of black culture is explored, heralded, and critiqued through the comedic lens of Smart Funny & Black. Audiences come to sing, laugh, dance, and learn understanding that the energy is celebratory and the hall is hallowed. All who walk in tolerance, positivity, and intellect are welcome into the Hall of Flava, but must understand that its paramount purpose is to provide voice to the black experience.
Our live band that provides the soundtrack to the night, keeping the knowledge in tune, and the comedy on key!