92 www.blackeoejournal.com Black EOE Journal
COVER STORY
No matter how you know his name, face or signature laugh, Cedric the Entertainer is always guaranteed to bring a smile to the faces of his audience. He has hosted talk shows, led game shows and even recorded comedic inter- ludes on rap albums: one triple platinum (Jay Zs The Blueprint ), one quadruple platinum (Yes Late Registration ) and one certified dia- mond album (Nellys Country Grammar ). For over 20 years, he has appeared in numerous movies (such as the Barbershop , Madagascar and Ice Age franchises) and television shows, including his current hit The Neighborhood , recently renewed for its fifth season and pro- duced by Cedrics production company, A Bird and a Bear Ent., which he manages with his longtime partner Eric Rhone. Whats kept him going all these years? The constant inspiration from fellow artists. Now, Im just motivated continually to do great work, Cedric shared with Black EOE Journal . We had so many new creators that came on the scene and are doing great things to where I feel like, now, theres heavy com- petition all around and great, and you just want to be a part of the conversation. Hes talking about writers adding culture and depth to the conversation like Ava Duvernay, Lena Waithe and Kenya Barris. He also referenced fellow comedian creators like Kevin Hart. You just want to keep leveling up, he said. Thats why I stay busy and stay at it and stay motivated. Im actually just excited that the energy is moving forward and not slowing down... And Cedric hasnt slowed down either.
Building an Empire
From lead comedian at a White House Correspondents Dinner to Broadway to host of this past years 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, he is always finding ways to bring joy through his work. Along with The Neighborhood , his com- pany also produces two shows on the Bounce TV network that are about relevant issues and stories, particularly in the Black community: Johnson , a show that follows the lives of four Black men in their 30s navigating the trials of everyday life. They are childhood friends and happen to have the same last name Johnson. The other program is a dramedy called Finding Happy about a Black woman working in the Atlanta radio industry, played by comedian and actor B. Simone, who, with the help of some friends, decides on her 36th birthday to make a decision to change her stagnant life and ind her own happiness. According to Cedric, I guess as far as what has changed [over the years], I feel like so many creators are gaining more and more control of their brands and their ideas that they want to see and do and that becomes even more motivatingthe fact that your creativ- ity doesnt have to be limited to a group of producers, creators or networks that have no idea what youre about and what your people want to see. Now theres just a wide array of opportunities. He also commented on the emergence of new streaming networks and platforms, both large-scale like Netflix, and smaller ones such as those started by social media influencers and content creators from underrepresented backgrounds. The networks have to up their game because the streamers are so hot, he shared. It opens up the playing ield for diversity all across the board. When you think about it, across the cultural diaspora that we have in this country, it just gives great
MAURY PHILLIPS/WIREIMAGE
(L-R) Brotherhood Crusade President and CEO Charisse Beamond Weaver and Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper President and CEO Danny J. Bakewell Sr. present Cedric the Entertainer with the Bremond-Bakewell Pioneer Award during the 46th Annual Bremond-Bakewell Pioneer of African American Achievement Awards Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.
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