By: Funny Or Die
Article by Darren Miller & Kat Curtis
CALL & RESPONSE: Controlling The Narrative Of Black Image In The Media

Today ‘s show: controlling the narrative of Black image in the media. Featuring special guests, Matthew Cherry (Oscar-winning director of the animated short film “Hair Love ‘), Ernie Hudson (actor, “Ghostbusters ‘ and “The Family Business ‘ on BET+) and Phoebe Robinson (comedian and actress, “2 Dope Queens. ‘ author of NYT Best-Seller, “You Can ‘t Touch My Hair & Other Things I Still Have to Explain ‘). Hosted by Baron Vaughn and Open Mike Eagle.
SHOW NOTES
- Why Father ‘s Day is Baron Vaughn ‘s personal Juneteenth
- How Baron Vaughn and Open Mike Eagle met at a rap battle
- The importance of watching comedy outside of what ‘s featured in main stream media
- Matthew Cherry discusses the uniquely positive portrayal of Black fatherhood and Black hair in his film, “Hair Love. ‘
- The future of independent filmmaking after COVID-19 (Matthew Cherry)
- The importance of CROWN Act & normalizing Black hair (Matthew Cherry)
- The importance of goal setting & how Matthew Cherry ‘s past tweet foreshadowed his Oscar nomination
- The story of Texas student DeAndre Arnold being unable to graduate because he refused to cut his dreadlocks for graduation & how he later became Matthew Cherry ‘s Oscars guest
- The importance of portraying “Black joy ‘ in a time where people are becoming more aware of Black pain & Black history (Matthew Cherry)
- Why it ‘s so important to support young Black voices in filmmaking (Matthew Cherry)
- The reason “Hair Love ‘ was an animated film (Matthew Cherry)
- Thoughts on how we can sustain and continue the current movement (Open Mike Eagle & Baron Vaughn)
- How far Black stories have come in television and film & where they can go next (Ernie Hudson)
- Ernie Hudson ‘s role as L.C. Duncan in The Family Business on BET
- How Ernie Hudson ‘s approach to roles has evolved in over 50 years of acting
- Ernie Hudson discusses how uprisings have affected his two hometowns of Los Angeles and Minneapolis
- Ernie Hudson discusses his challenging experience as the only Black Ghostbuster
- How Phoebe Robinson dealing with quarantine
- The importance of creating content you don ‘t see & the content you want to see (Phoebe Robinson)
- Phoebe Robinson on what inspired her bestselling book, “You Can ‘t Touch My Hair & Other Things I Still Have to Explain ‘
- The importance of developing your craft for fun vs. making career moves & what it means to “fill the space ‘ with your voice (Phoebe Robinson)
- Why it ‘s important for people of color to take control of their own narrative (Phoebe Robinson)
GUEST RECOMMENDATIONS
- Hair Love (Matthew Cherry ‘s Oscar-Winning Short Film)
- The Family Business (BET TV series starring Matthew Cherry)
- You Can ‘t Touch My Hair & Other Things I Still Have to Explain (New York Best Seller by Phoebe Robinson)
- CROWN Act
- DeAndre Arnold
- Never Have I Ever (Netflix series)
- Rachel Cargle (Public Academic, Writer & Lecturer)
- Delina Medhin (Makeup Artist, Content Creator, Educator)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE
Matthew Cherry Talks About “Hair Love ‘ And The Importance Of Supporting Young Black Filmmakers
Ernie Hudson Discusses His Experience As The Only Black Ghostbuster
Phoebe Robinson on what inspired her bestselling book
TODAY ‘S GUESTS
Matthew Cherry
Instagram: @matthewacherry
Twitter: @MatthewACherry
Facebook: Matthew Cherry

Ernie Hudson
Instagram: @ernie_hudson
Twitter: @Ernie_Hudson
Facebook: @ErnieHudsonOfficial
Phoebe Robinson
Instagram:
Instagram: @dopequeenpheebs
Twitter: @dopequeenspheebs
Facebook: @DopeQueenPheebs

ABOUT THE SHOW
Call & Response is a new show designed to respond to the changes and activism of our time. Each day, Baron and Mike will invite their favorite Black creators ‘ activists, comedians, musicians, actors, visual artists, and more ‘ to riff on current events, discuss the present momentum, and speak about their work and struggles.