The University Musical Society (UMS), in partnership with the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the Democracy & Debate Theme Semester is thrilled to announce that Daily Show star Trevor Noah will join the U-M community for a casual and interactive conversation on this pivotal moment that reflects both adversity and possibility.

The free virtual event will stream live on Tuesday, October 20 at 8:30 pm. Registration is required in advance at ums.org/trevornoah. The event is open to the University of Michigan community, as well as UMS and Ford School supporters and event attendees.

“We are thrilled to work with Dean Michael Barr, the Ford School, the Democracy & Debate team, and, very importantly, U-M students, in bringing Trevor Noah to our campus community in these crucial weeks before the election,” said UMS President Matthew VanBesien. “Noah’s insightful commentary on the state of the world and our country shows how we can all rise to the challenges of the current moment, engage in constructive debate, and lean into this important election. And, he’s pretty damn funny too.”

“U-M and Ford School students care deeply about our democracy and about the urgent work of building a racially just society,” said Michael S. Barr, the Dean of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. “I’m excited to host this conversation between our students and the brilliant Trevor Noah, who speaks with such honesty and clarity about racism, social movements, and public policy. I want to thank UMS President Matthew VanBesien for organizing such an important conversation.”

In this virtual event, he reflects on the state of our nation and discusses how the U-M community can, in spite of isolation, come together around the arts, pursue racial justice, and rise to the challenge of this moment. Barr will moderate the discussion with timely questions from U-M students.

University of Michigan students are invited to submit questions through the Democracy and Debate theme semester website at speakactvote.umich.edu.

Presenting sponsors include Bank of Ann Arbor, Patti Askwith Kenner and the Bert’s Ticket program, and Valerie and Jeff Wilpon.