UTA Signs Emmy-Nominated Host and ‘How to Citizen’ Creator Baratunde Thurston (EXCLUSIVE)
UTA has signed Emmy-nominated host, writer, creator and author Baratunde Thurston for representation in all areas.
Thurston, best known as the executive producer and host of the hit podcast “How to Citizen With Baratunde,” as well as the author of the New York Times bestseller “How to Be Black” will work with the agency to expand his profile across unscripted and scripted television, news, podcasts, speaking, books, brands and comedy.
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Now in its second season, “How to Citizen,” has received over 700,000 downloads and Thurston was awarded the Social Impact ICON Award for the show at the 2021 iHeartRadio Podcast Awards.
Up next, Thurston will host the six-part PBS series “America Outdoors With Baratunde Thurston,” where viewers will follow him on “an adventure-filled journey as he explores the diverse array of regions across the U.S. and how those landscapes shape the way Americans work, play and interact with the outdoors.”
Thurston’s entertainment career has been both varied and highly successful. In 2017, he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy award for his work on “Clarify.” From 2015-2016, he worked as a producer on “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah,” boarding the Comedy Central series to lead production of digital content. Thurston also led digital for “The Onion” and served as an advisor for the Obama administration.
He is also a highly regarded public speaker, with his 2019 TED Talk on deconstructing racism earning more than 5 million views and rave reviews. Thurston has given keynote addresses for SXSW, Apple, GE, Spotify, Google, The Ford Foundation and appeared on several networks including HBO, Comedy Central, CNN, MSNBC and BBC.
On Thursday, the writer, host and creator joins Variety’s Changemakers Summit for a conversation with White House correspondents Yamiche Alcindor (“PBS NewsHour”) and April Ryan (The Grio and political analyst at CNN); journalist and filmmaker Chaz Ebert; and “Nightline” anchor Juju Chang.
Thurston will continue to be represented by Kara Baker at Avalon Management, Seth Horwitz at Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham and ID.
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