Learn it Live, sponsored by American Airlines and the interactive travel site BlackAtlas.com, rolled into Chicago with thunderous laughter as its soundtrack. The event took place in the iconic Gene Siskel Film Center, and kicked off the culmination of The 17th Annual Black Harvest International Film Festival.
Ray Lambert, John Davies, and WGCI’s comedian Tony Sculfield, discussed filmmaking, documenting personal stories, and their project Phunny Business: A Black Comedy. Phunny Business tells the story of the rise and fall of “one of the greatest comedy clubs you may have never heard of, All Jokes Aside.” The panel was moderated by rolling out publisher Munson Steed.
During the discussion, Steed assigned comedian Sculfield to produce and upload a three-minute video about his experience and Chicago for the BlackAtlas.com site. Travelers record and upload their content to the site, exchanging unique experiences, journeys and destinations.
Adib Abrahim, diversity strategies specialist at American Airlines, says comedy brings the magic to the travel videos. “What we really need is humor,” Abrahim says. “That’s kind of the universal language.”
American Airlines proudly support the Learn It Live series, that is designed to enlighten, inspire and empower attendees.
“Learn it Live is an important series because it expresses the voice of the African American community and American Airlines is proud to be a partner with rolling out to support this cause,” says American Airlines’ Monica Billinger, manager of cornerstone diversity for the Chicago market.
BlackAtlas.com is a unique online community that offers travel insight from an African American perspective.
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