About The Series

Citizen began on the campus of Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City in the spring of 2004 as a public dialogue on subjects of social interest. Produced and hosted by Teachers College adjunct lecturer Kelvin Shawn Sealey, Citizen evolved into a periodic talk show modeled after those seen on television, with the concomitant attempt to create a public environment in which host, guest and audience might be able to explore important social issues in a relaxed yet dynamically structured setting. Over two years, Citizen played host to academic and social critic Cornel West, feminist and social theorist bell hooks, author and feminist Gloria Steinem, dancer Bill T. Jones, Latin Jazz composer and band leader Eddie Palmieri, theologian HyunvKyung Chung, actor Roger Guenveur Smith, architect Frank Gehry and novelist Edwidge Danticat. All of these shows can be viewed in their entirety on this website.