A "White" Take On Black History

citizen |

CHICAGO--Since discovering his Black heritage as an adult, Michael Fosberg has been working to help Americans confront ugly truths about race and identity. His autobiographical play Incognito, which details the search for his biological father and the ultimate discovery of his African-American roots, has been challenging audiences for more than a decade. The play, combined with his unique take on diversity training, has brought the much sought-after speaker to major corporations, nonprofits and educational organizations around the country. This February, the Chicago native will bring his thought-provoking show to schools throughout Atlanta and beyond, in honor of Black History Month.

Fosberg was raised in a Chicago suburb by his Armenian-American mother and his adoptive stepfather. Family drama at 34 led him to seek out his biological father, who promptly revealed in their initial phone call, "something your mother never told you;" his father was black! Fosberg's quest to connect with his father's family and uncover his black roots is the subject of his compelling 2011 memoir Incognito: An American Odyssey of Race and Self-Discovery.

The author-actor-activist has performed his funny, thought-provoking show for captivated audiences--including those at hundreds of arts venues, educational institutions, corporations and government agencies, such as Northwestern University, the Sundance Institute, NASA and the Black Academy of Arts & Letters--and facilitated dialogue about race and identity through insightful post-performance talkbacks. Fosberg has also been extensively interviewed in the media on issues of race and identity.

"The revelation of my black roots and the discoveries about my ancestors have given me a personal connection to Black History Month and renewed appreciation of American history," said Fosberg. "I hope that by sharing my own journey and the story of my family I can help others understand their own significance in this historical melting pot.

This February (Black History Month), he'll perform the show everywhere from the FBI to Penn State University to schools in the Chicago area (The Latin School, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, and Hinsdale South High School), and more. As always, Fosberg will be seen on stages, in classrooms and in corporate conference rooms across America throughout the year.

Chicago native Michael Fosberg has been working to create a national dialogue on race and identity since 2001 when he launched his one-man autobiographical play Incognito. This powerful and thought-provoking show is about the search for his biological father and the ultimate discovery that he is black. The author-actor-activist has performed the play throughout the United States at hundreds of arts venues and educational institutions. Michael's popular and unique diversity training has brought him before major corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits throughout the U.S., including the Sundance Institute, NASA, the Social Security Administration, the National Training Center for the U.S. Army at Ft. Irwin, and the Black Academy of Arts & Letters. As part of his presentations he leads insightful post-performance discussions on human relations, identity, and race.

As a result of performing his own life story and the dialogue he facilitates with audiences across the country, he has frequently been featured in the media sharing his expertise on current race and identity issues. Michael has appeared on CNN, NPR, Public Radio International, Sirius-XM Radio, American Urban Radio Networks, The Takeaway, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Tavis Smiley Show, and the Chicago Sun-Times, among many other outlets.

His memoir, Incognito: An American Odyssey of Race and Self-Discovery, was released in February 2011, amid glowing reviews. He hopes to complete his latest book, Do We Have to Talk About It? Straight Talk on Race and Identity in America, sometime in 2013.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.