Chaucer’s Books will host actor, director, entertainer and author Wren T. Brown for a talk and signing of his book “The Family Business: Four Generations of One Black Family’s Artistic Odyssey,” 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 19 at 3321 State St., Santa Barbara.
In honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Chaucer’s Books will donate 10% of proceeds from all sales to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara.
In a time when diversity and inclusion in entertainment are more crucial than ever, “The Family Business” shines as a beacon of inspiration, organizers said.
The book chronicles the story of the Young and Brown families, a lineage that has influenced American culture and the arts for over a century.
“Delve into a rich tapestry of history, personal narratives, and striking visuals that capture the essence of perseverance, particularly during the era of Jim Crow,” Chaucer’s said. “This book is not merely a chronicle, it’s an unapologetic tribute to the resilience and talent of Black artists who have bravely carved out their space in the entertainment industry.”
With an extensive collection of rare and never-before-seen photographs and memorabilia drawn from Brown’s personal archives, “The Family Business” serves as both a family scrapbook and a cultural artifact, illuminating the critical contributions of Black artistry and its enduring impact, according to Chaucer’s.
Brown is an actor, producer, director, and a fourth generation Angeleno. At age 17, after performing a poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar and landing a national commercial, he decided to formally enter the family business.
A versatile actor with a deep melodious voice, Wren has appeared on screen in “Hollywood Shuffle,” “Beyond the Lights,” “Waiting to Exhale,” “Heart and Souls,” “Under Siege 2,” and “Edmond.”
Some of his TV appearances include: “Whoopi,” “Flipper: The New Adventures.” “Bless This House,” “Half & Half,” “Grey’s Anatomy”, ”The Orville,” “Star Trek: Voyager,” “Touched by an Angel,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and “The Simpsons,”
Brown’s voice can be heard narrating: The History Channel’s “U.S.S. Constellation: Battling For Freedom,” “E! True Hollywood Story” on the life of Diana Ross, and “Bronzeville.”
Onstage he has appeared “As You Like It,” “On Borrowed Time,” “Burning Hope,” and “The Gospel at Colonus.” He has directed “Fences,” “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” “Blues In the Night,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” and “The World Goes Round.”
Wren is the founder and producing artistic director of Ebony Repertory Theatre, Los Angeles’ only African American professional theater company. He lives in Los Angeles.
.