
Dr. Sonny Kelly’s one-man performance of “The Talk” (co-sponsored with the UNC Friday Center in celebration of Black History Month)
February 23 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
In celebration of Black History Month, the Department of African, African American, & Diaspora Studies is pleased to co-sponsor with the UNC Friday Center:
“The Talk”
Sunday, February 23, 2025 – 3:00-5:00 pm | Free and Open to the Public
“The Talk” is a one-man performance that delves into the profound and universal experience of “the talk” between an African American father and his son, set against the backdrop of the tragic deaths of Trayvon Martin and Freddie Gray. Created and performed by Dr. Sonny Kelly, this production interweaves personal narrative, theater, and poetry to explore themes of love, resilience, and the enduring quest for unity and justice in an increasingly divided world.
Through this deeply moving and thought-provoking performance, Dr. Kelly embodies over twenty characters, bringing to life stories that span generations. The play is enhanced by multimedia elements, including sound, video, and imagery, offering audiences an immersive and impactful journey that confronts challenging truths and celebrates shared humanity.
The show was written and performed by Dr. Sonny Kelly, founder of Legacy Heirs Productions.
Sonny Kelly, PhD, is a dynamic scholar, performer, storyteller, and founder of Legacy Heirs Productions, Inc. He earned his PhD in Communication from UNC–Chapel Hill and holds degrees from Stanford University and St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.
A versatile professional, Dr. Kelly has served as a U.S. Air Force officer, nonprofit director, university admissions counselor, pharmaceutical sales representative, award-winning college communications instructor, and youth pastor. Currently, he teaches Public Speaking and Intercultural/Interpersonal Communication at Fayetteville Technical Community College.
With over 30 years of professional acting experience on stage and television, Dr. Kelly is renowned for his original one-man shows, including The Talk, The Ongoing Fight for Freedom, Indivisible, and HAUNTED. These performances explore the critical conversations Americans must have to bridge divides and foster unity.
Dr. Kelly’s research focuses on performance-centered practices that address societal divides, mobilizing theater, storytelling, ethnography, and participatory action research to inspire hope, accountability, equity, and inclusion. His passion for empowering others is unmistakable!