Commentary

2017 BET EXPERIENCE – GENIUS TALKS SPONSORED BY AT&T – DAY 1

The Genius Talks Series sponsored by AT&T held an exciting slate of conversations from Tracee Ellis Ross, Ava DuVernay, Issa Rae, Pusha T, Nick Cannon, New Edition and more. Actress and writer Issa Rae kicked off the afternoon with insights on her creative process and her strategy behind building an empire.

The thought-provoking talks continued with rapper Pusha T in conversation with attorney, political strategist and CNN commentator Angela Rye, and Marilyn Mosby, State’s Attorney for Baltimore, Maryland about incarceration in the black and brown community. 

Tracee Ellis Ross then took to the stage to discuss her hit series “Black-ish” and self-love. New Edition & choreographer Brooke Payne shared the stories from their days in the legendary group followed by Oscar nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who talked through her successful career in film. Lastly, Nick Cannon wrapped the day around the themes of building a brand, fatherhood and more. View photos from this insightful event below. 

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: Issa Rae (L) and Charlamagne tha God speak onstage at day one of Genius Talks, sponsored by AT&T, during the 2017 BET Experience at Los Angeles Convention Center on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for BET).
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: Tracee Ellis Ross at day one of Genius Talks, sponsored by AT&T, during the 2017 BET Experience at Los Angeles Convention Center on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for BET).
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: Ava DuVernay (L) and Charlamagne tha God at day one of Genius Talks, sponsored by AT&T, during the 2017 BET Experience at Los Angeles Convention Center on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for BET).
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: (L-R) Pusha T, Angela Rye, and Marilyn Mosby at day one of Genius Talks, sponsored by AT&T, during the 2017 BET Experience at Los Angeles Convention Center on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for BET).
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: Bell Biv Devoe and Charlamagne tha God at day one of Genius Talks, sponsored by AT&T, during the 2017 BET Experience at Los Angeles Convention Center on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for BET).
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: Nick Cannon (L) and Charlamagne Tha God at day one of Genius Talks, sponsored by AT&T, during the 2017 BET Experience at Los Angeles Convention Center on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for BET).
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 24: Fans attend day one of Genius Talks, sponsored by AT&T, during the 2017 BET Experience at Los Angeles Convention Center on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for BET).