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Up to date: June 5, 2025 at 3:30 PM EST
Speak exhibits have lengthy been a staple of American tv, providing a platform for leisure, dialogue, and cultural trade. Through the years, quite a few Black hosts have made indelible marks on the trade, bringing distinctive views and voices to the forefront. From groundbreaking daytime packages to late-night improvements, these hosts haven’t solely entertained but in addition educated and impressed audiences worldwide with their groundbreaking expertise, opening doorways for future generations.
Meet Hazel Scott, the primary Black girl to host a TV present.
Hazel Scott, a trailblazing jazz pianist and vocalist, is widely known by historians as the primary Black girl to host her personal nationwide tv program in the US. In response to Ladies’s Historical past, greater than only a performer, Scott was a fearless advocate for civil rights, standing up towards the Hollywood studio system and testifying earlier than the Home Un-American Actions Committee throughout a time when doing so posed grave private {and professional} dangers. Her signature fusion of classical music with jazz rhythms captivated audiences throughout America and world wide.
Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1920, Scott moved to New York Metropolis in 1924 along with her mom and grandmother following her mother and father’ separation. She was the one little one of R. Thomas Scott, a West African scholar, and Alma Lengthy Scott, a classically skilled pianist and completed saxophonist. Hazel’s musical aptitude emerged early—by age three, she may play piano by ear, and he or she was identified to vocally protest when her mom’s college students hit incorrect notes.
Because of her mom’s deep ties to the music world, Hazel was given a uncommon alternative to audition for the celebrated Juilliard Faculty of Music. She was accepted on a particular waiver on the age of eight—a testomony to her extraordinary expertise.
By her teenage years, Scott was already a fixture in New York’s music scene. At 13, she joined her mom’s band, Alma Lengthy Scott’s American Creolians. Two years later, she made her solo debut performing alongside Depend Basie’s orchestra on the Roseland Ballroom. Across the identical time, she received a contest that earned her a spot on native radio and shortly after made her Broadway debut within the 1938 revue “Sing Out the Information.” Regardless of her rising fame, Scott graduated from highschool with honors.
Her breakthrough got here in 1939 throughout a residency at Café Society, a groundbreaking built-in nightclub in Greenwich Village identified for showcasing progressive expertise. When Billie Vacation abruptly ended her engagement there, she personally really useful Scott as her successor. Scott shortly turned the membership’s star attraction and was affectionately dubbed the “Darling of Café Society.”
In 1950, Scott broke new floor as soon as once more with “The Hazel Scott Present,”a 15-minute tv program aired 3 times per week. It initially broadcast in New York and later expanded nationally. On the present, Scott carried out her distinctive mix of jazz, blues, and classical music, incomes essential acclaim and powerful viewership. Nonetheless, her rising stardom was reduce brief when she was named in “Pink Channels,” a publication that accused entertainers of Communist affiliations. The present was swiftly canceled, regardless of her refusal to again down underneath strain.
Scott’s legacy just isn’t solely outlined by her musical genius but in addition by her unimaginable dedication to justice and creative integrity within the face of adversity. She walked so a lot of our favourite Black discuss and TV present hosts may run and thrive.
Right here’s a take a look at 20 influential Black discuss present hosts who’ve formed the panorama of tv.
1. Tyra Banks
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Tyra Banks revolutionized the modeling trade with “America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin” from 2003 to 2015, and later hosted “The Tyra Banks Present” (2006-2010), the place she delved into private tales and social points with visitors. Her candid method and charisma made her a family title.
2. Queen Latifah
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Queen Latifah introduced her multifaceted skills to “The Queen Latifah Present,” from 1999 to 2001, mixing music, comedy, and interviews with a deal with positivity and empowerment. Her heat and authenticity resonated with audiences.
3. Michael Strahan
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Former NFL star Michael Strahan transitioned to tv, co-hosting “Stay with Kelly and Michael” from 2012 to 2013 and later internet hosting “The $100,000 Pyramid,” and “GMA3,” showcasing his versatility and allure. His participating character made him a favourite amongst viewers.
4. Oprah Winfrey
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Oprah Winfrey’s “The Oprah Winfrey Present” turned a cultural phenomenon when it premiered in 1986, bearing on matters from self-help to politics, and making her one of the vital influential media figures in historical past. Her empathetic interviewing fashion set a brand new commonplace for discuss exhibits and made her a beloved determine world wide till the present’s finish in 2011.
5. Wendy Williams
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Recognized for her candid and infrequently controversial opinions, Wendy Williams hosted “The Wendy Williams Present,” from 2008 to 2022, the place she mentioned celeb gossip and present occasions with unapologetic aptitude. Her daring method garnered a devoted following.
Williams took a step again from the highlight in 2022 to are inclined to a number of well being points together with her ongoing battle with lymphedema, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and first progressive aphasia (PPA).
6. RuPaul
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RuPaul had a short stint along with his discuss present, “The RuPaul Present,” between 1997 and 1998. Nonetheless, his massive break would are available 2009, when “RuPaul’s Drag Race” premiered. It introduced drag tradition into the mainstream, celebrating self-expression and variety. RuPaul’s charisma and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights made him a trailblazer.
7. Sherri Shepherd
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Sherri Shepherd co-hosted “The View” from 2007 to 2014 and later launched her personal daytime discuss present, “Sherri,” in 2022, the place she now combines humor with heartfelt discussions on numerous matters. Followers love her humorous and genuine supply on air.
8. Steve Harvey
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Steve Harvey parlayed his humorous humor as a comic book into his full-time internet hosting function with “Household Feud” in 2010. He showcases his comedic timing and talent to attach with individuals from all walks of life.
9. Star Jones
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Star Jones gained prominence as a co-host on “The View,” between 1997 and 2006, identified for her authorized experience and candid opinions. Jones is the present host of “Divorce Court docket,” a present that revolves round settling the disputes of {couples} going by messy divorces.
10. Whoopi Goldberg
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An EGOT winner, Whoopi Goldberg has been a co-host of “The View,” since 2006, bringing her sharp wit and numerous views to discussions on politics, tradition, and present occasions. Her contributions have been pivotal in shaping the present’s robust dynamic.
11. Wanda Sykes
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Comic Wanda Sykes hosted “The Wanda Sykes Present,” providing a singular mix of humor and political commentary. Her fearless method to addressing social points resonated with many viewers. The present aired on Fox and ran for one season between 2009 and 2010.
12. Ananda Lewis
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Ananda Lewis hosted “The Ananda Lewis Present,” from 2001 to 2022, a spot the place she engaged with younger audiences on matters starting from relationships to social points, offering a relatable voice for her technology. Her approachable demeanor made her a trusted determine due to her early days as an MTV veejay.
13. Mo’Nique
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Oscar-winning actress Mo’Nique hosted “The Mo’Nique Present,” the place she mixed celeb interviews with discussions on real-life points, all whereas showcasing her comedic skills. Her authenticity and boldness set her aside. The present ran for 7 seasons between 2009 and 2012.
14. Arsenio Corridor
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From 1989 to 1994, Arsenio Corridor’s late-night discuss present, “The Arsenio Corridor Present,” introduced a contemporary perspective to the style, that includes musical performances and interviews with a various vary of visitors. His present turned a platform for rising artists and cultural discussions.
15. Tavis Smiley
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Tavis Smiley started his broadcasting profession as a radio commentator in 1991. In 1996, he turned the host of “BET Speak”—a present that was later rebranded as “BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley”—on Black Leisure Tv (BET).
His tenure at BET got here to an finish in 2001 after he offered an unique interview with Sara Jane Olson to ABC Information, prompting the community to not renew his contract. Following his departure from BET, Smiley transitioned to public radio and launched “The Tavis Smiley Present” on Nationwide Public Radio (NPR), which he hosted from 2002 to 2004.
He then expanded his platform with the launch of “Tavis Smiley” on PBS, a weekday tv discuss present, and a revived model of “The Tavis Smiley Present” on Public Radio Worldwide (PRI), each of which he hosted from 2004 till 2017.
16. Montel Williams
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Montel Williams hosted “The Montel Williams Present,” from 1991 to 2009, addressing a wide selection of matters, together with well being, relationships, and social points, usually that includes emotional and galvanizing tales. His navy background and advocacy for veterans added depth to his platform.
17. Chris Rock
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Comic Chris Rock hosted “The Chris Rock Present,” mixing stand-up comedy with satirical commentary on politics and tradition, providing a pointy and insightful perspective on societal points. His fearless method to comedy made the present a standout. The present ran for five seasons between 1997 and 2000.
18. Wayne Brady
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Lasting for 2 seasons (2002-2004), Wayne Brady hosted “The Wayne Brady Present,” the place he showcased his improvisational abilities and musical skills, offering a mix of leisure and humor. His versatility as a performer made him a beloved determine in tv.
19. Bevy Smith
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TV and radio character Bevy Smith has been the host of “Bevelations,” since 2015, on SiriusXM. The present combines celeb interviews with discussions on vogue, tradition, and life-style, providing a classy and insightful perspective on the leisure trade. Her vibrant character and magnificence make her a standout host.
20. Sheryl Underwood
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Comic Sheryl Underwood was a daily contributor on the nationally syndicated “Tom Joyner Morning Present” till June 2010. She additionally briefly hosted her personal radio program, “Sheryl Underwood and Firm,” which aired on Radio One’s Syndication One Information/Speak community and on XM Satellite tv for pc Radio’s Channel 169, often called The Energy.
Moreover, Underwood hosts “The Sheryl Underwood Present” on Tuesday nights on Jamie Foxx’s SiriusXM channel, The Foxxhole (Sirius 106).
In 2011, she joined the CBS daytime discuss present “The Speak” as a co-host throughout its second season, stepping in as a substitute for Leah Remini.