Channing Gerard Joseph

Names like Bayard Rustin, Frances Thompson and William Dorsey Swann have been largely erased from U.S. history, but they and other Black queer leaders played central roles in monumental movements like emancipation, civil rights and LGBTQ+ pride, among others. In this tribute to forgotten icons, queer culture historian and TED Fellow Channing Gerard Joseph -- a professor of journalism at Princeton University -- shares the little-known stories of early Black LBGTQ+ Americans, connecting the origins of drag in the 1880s to the present day and exploring the awesome power to choose how we define ourselves. Using captivating storytelling and song, Prof. Joseph reveals the origins of queer drag and ballroom culture in repressive 1880s America, connecting these early acts of defiance and creativity to today’s ongoing struggles for self-expression and equality. This talk celebrates the extraordinary power of marginalized voices to shape mainstream culture, define identity, and challenge systems of oppression, offering audiences a profound new lens to view history—and themselves.

Attendee Results:

• Discover the surprising connections between the history of African American Emancipation, modern drag culture, and LGBTQ+ activism.
• Hear the fascinating stories of Black LGBTQ+ historical figures who played crucial but forgotten roles in shaping US history.
• Understand the origins of contemporary LGBTQ+ identity and learn how ideas of gender and sexuality have evolved over the last two centuries.
• Develop lingering curiosity about the ways that history has often been manipulated to erase the stories of marginalized groups.

The history of same-sex love and romance among enslaved African Americans has been largely erased—deemed taboo for centuries, even among historians. Yet these stories of resilience, love, and defiance reveal profound truths about the human spirit and the enduring fight for self-determination in the face of unimaginable oppression. Award-winning queer historian, journalist, and Princeton University professor Channing Gerard Joseph takes audiences on a journey through his groundbreaking original research, uncovering long-suppressed stories of same-sex relationships during the U.S. slavery era. Through captivating storytelling, Channing shares the remarkable tale of Minty Gurry and Philis Caden, two women who escaped enslavement during the War of 1812, entered a romantic partnership, and solidified their bond when Minty adopted Philis’s last name. He also tells the heart-wrenching story of Pierce Stephens and Felix Hall, two enslaved men in Washington, D.C., whose love endured years of separation after their plans to escape were discovered. This talk sheds light on an untold history of love and connection that transcends centuries of silencing, inviting audiences to reflect on the power of love as a form of resistance in a politically and culturally repressive era.

Attendee Results:

• Discover the stories of same-sex relationships among enslaved African Americans, erased for centuries.
• Understand the historical and cultural significance of these relationships as acts of defiance and humanity.
• Gain insight into the intersections of queer and African American histories, often deliberately suppressed.
• Reflect on how uncovering these histories challenges contemporary narratives about identity, love, and freedom.

For centuries, U.S. newspapers played an active role in promoting and profiting from racial violence. From publishing ads for the sale of enslaved people to defending lynchings and amplifying white supremacist propaganda, journalism was often complicit in some of the darkest chapters of American history. These practices not only shaped the media landscape but also fueled systemic violence that still echoes today. For Channing Gerard Joseph, this history hits close to home. Among his ancestors is Stephen, a sailor and sawyer who was sold at auction in New Orleans in 1820, his name listed alongside others described as “property” in a local newspaper ad. Drawing from his personal story and groundbreaking archival research, Channing reveals how major media outlets enabled and sustained racial violence—and why understanding this history is critical to creating a more just and inclusive society.

Attendee Results:

• Learn how U.S. journalism actively contributed to slavery, lynchings, and other forms of racial violence.
• Hear personal and historical accounts that shed light on this hidden history.
• Reflect on how confronting this legacy can inspire more equitable storytelling and understanding today.

Artificial intelligence has been hailed as a tool for progress, but it often comes with an overlooked flaw: hidden racial biases baked into the data it relies on. These biases -- dubbed the “coded gaze” -- reflect and amplify systemic racism, affecting critical decisions in policing, hiring, healthcare, and more. The result is a digital landscape that perpetuates inequalities in ways that are hard to detect and even harder to address. Award-winning journalist, historian, and Princeton University professor Channing Gerard Joseph draws connections between historical injustices and modern algorithmic discrimination, explaining how biases in AI echo practices like redlining and racial profiling. This talk empowers audiences to understand the dangers of unchecked AI and to advocate for ethical accountability in its development and use.

Attendee Results:

• Understand how AI systems inherit and amplify systemic racial biases. Learn about the real-world impacts of algorithmic discrimination on marginalized communities.
• Reflect on historical parallels between racism in technology and systemic injustices of the past.
• Explore the critical need for advocacy, regulation, and transparency in AI development.

In the early 20th century, the Black press did what few other media outlets dared: it reported on LGBTQ communities, shedding light on lives that mainstream newspapers ignored or erased. From vivid accounts of drag balls to controversial critiques of queer life, African American newspapers documented a burgeoning LGBTQ culture, offering glimpses of resistance and resilience amid an era of systemic oppression. Award-winning journalist, historian, and Princeton University professor Channing Gerard Joseph draws on rich archival research to reveal how the Black press shaped public perceptions of LGBTQ people and preserved their stories for future generations. This talk examines the complex relationship between the African American media and LGBTQ communities, highlighting the groundbreaking coverage that both challenged and reinforced societal norms.

Attendee Results:

• Discover how the Black press documented LGBTQ lives and contributed to their visibility.
• Understand the dual role of the Black press in both critiquing and elevating queer communities.
• Reflect on how this history challenges narratives of erasure in mainstream media.
• Gain insights into the intersections of race, sexuality, and media in shaping cultural identity.