South African comedian and host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show Trevor Noah will speak at Cahn Auditorium on Sunday, Oct. 15, in an event titled “Trevor Noah: Race And Identity in America Now.” The event, sponsored by Medill, will be moderated by Medill alum and New York Times reporter John Eligon.
Noah is perhaps best known for replacing long-time Daily Show host Jon Stewart back in 2015. Born in Soweto, South Africa, his other comedic work focuses on his upbringing as a mixed-race child under Apartheid. In 2016, his autobiography, Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, became a New York Times bestseller.
On The Daily Show, Noah is known for drawing comparisons between present-day American politics and those of his upbringing in South Africa. He often compares Donald Trump to an African dictator or recounts his experience as a person of color both in South Africa and the United States in his segments.
Medill students will receive preference tickets for this event, which begins at 7 p.m. on Oct. 15.