In honor of Black History 2025, The Friday Center presents:

“The Talk”

Sunday, February 23, 2025 – 3:00-5:00 pm | Free and Open to the Public 

“The Talk” is a one-man performance that delves into the profound and universal experience of “the talk” between an African American father and his son, set against the backdrop of the tragic deaths of Trayvon Martin and Freddie Gray. Created and performed by Dr. Sonny Kelly, this production interweaves personal narrative, theater, and poetry to explore themes of love, resilience, and the enduring quest for unity and justice in an increasingly divided world.

Through this deeply moving and thought-provoking performance, Dr. Kelly embodies over twenty characters, bringing to life stories that span generations. The play is enhanced by multimedia elements, including sound, video, and imagery, offering audiences an immersive and impactful journey that confronts challenging truths and celebrates shared humanity.

The show was written and performed by Dr. Sonny Kelly, founder of Legacy Heirs Productions.

Sonny Kelly, PhD, is a dynamic scholar, performer, storyteller, and founder of Legacy Heirs Productions, Inc. He earned his PhD in Communication from UNC–Chapel Hill and holds degrees from Stanford University and St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.

A versatile professional, Dr. Kelly has served as a U.S. Air Force officer, nonprofit director, university admissions counselor, pharmaceutical sales representative, award-winning college communications instructor, and youth pastor. Currently, he teaches Public Speaking and Intercultural/Interpersonal Communication at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

With over 30 years of professional acting experience on stage and television, Dr. Kelly is renowned for his original one-man shows, including The Talk, The Ongoing Fight for Freedom, Indivisible, and HAUNTED. These performances explore the critical conversations Americans must have to bridge divides and foster unity.

Dr. Kelly’s research focuses on performance-centered practices that address societal divides, mobilizing theater, storytelling, ethnography, and participatory action research to inspire hope, accountability, equity, and inclusion. His passion for empowering others is unmistakable!

Register Here

Honoring Black History:

Each year, the Friday Center offers a community event in honor of Black History Month, hosted at the Friday Conference Center. Previous events have included:

2024 – The Ongoing Fight for Freedom: Stories of NC’s Black Veterans by Sonny Kelly
2023 – Voices for Justice: Dar He – The Lynching of Emmett Till by Mike Wiley
2022 – Voices for Truth: Blood Done Sign My Name by Mike Wiley
2021 – Voices for Justice: Dar He – The Lynching of Emmett Till by Mike Wiley (Virtual Performance)
2020 – Voices for Equality: Breach of Peace – 1961 Freedom Fighters Movement by Mike Wiley
2019 – Voices for Change: The Fire of Freedom by Mike Wiley
2018 – Voices of Freedom: Music and the Civil Rights Movement by Mary D. Williams