Trevor Noah Breaks Records at Silk Speaker Series
Former host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah fosters togetherness at the sold-out Silk Speaker Series crowd at USF during the first week of the school year.
The first Silk Speaker Series to sell out in under 24 hours saw nearly every seat filled in The War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center. Virtual registration reached record heights, with over 1,500 viewers tuning in to hear from the Emmy Award-winning comedian.
Dr. Michael Goldman, associate dean of graduate programs and strategic initiatives for the College of Arts and Sciences and a professor for the sport management program at USF, skillfully guided the evening’s conversation through poignant questions on education, identity, and finding humor.
Trevor Noah received a standing ovation as he entered, and promptly reflected on how his formal and informal education helped form who he is today. “My mom was always more focused on who you become as a person than what you do as a person,” said Noah. “She was more impressed that someone smiled at me on the street than the fact I hosted the Grammys.”
He added, “Many children don’t have the same opportunities I did. I was able to attend a Catholic school only because of a scholarship my mom secured through her company. Access to a good education shouldn’t be a matter of luck; it should be a standard right for everyone.”
Noah spoke passionately about the Trevor Noah Foundation, which he established in 2018 in Johannesburg. The foundation aims to improve the lives of South African youth through educational and personal development programs. Through his foundation, Noah is working to provide equitable education opportunities.
As the conversation evolved during the evening, Noah’s playful humor balanced more philosophical topics. Noah encouraged the audience to embrace laughter as a way to foster togetherness and belonging.
Throughout Noah’s career, his stand-up comedy had taken him to all corners of the world, and the seats that occupied his interviews during the seven years at the Daily Show held diverse people with diverse opinions. Through interacting and engaging in other people’s worlds, Noah discussed how it helped bridge his understanding and see the world more deeply.
When Goldman inquired about how Noah’s understanding of identity has evolved, Noah responded with thoughtful insight:
Identity is a shifting target that isn't real. But it has a real impact on you — it is beautiful and silly at the same time. I think it's beautiful when we use it to connect with each other, but it's also how we can use it to make people feel less.”
As the evening came to a close, Trevor Noah left attendees with a thoughtful message on navigating life; “It’s a contradictory statement but try to remember it’s not as serious as you think, it is serious, but it’s also not. That’s the paradox of life.”
The Silk Speaker Series, funded by Jeff and Naomi Silk, invites thought leaders in business, culture, and global affairs to share their wisdom and ideas with students, alumni, faculty, and friends of the university.
Join us on Oct. 19 as Viola Davis debuts at the Silk Speaker Series during CelebrateUSF.
