The Herd with Colin Cowherd Joe and Jada - Jesse Williams on BLM & BET Awards speech, 'Grey's Anatomy' & 'Hotel Costiera'
Oct 2, 2025
Jesse Williams, acclaimed actor and passionate activist, joins the conversation to discuss his new series, Hotel Costiera. He shares stories from his college days in Philadelphia during the hip-hop renaissance, emphasizing the importance of teaching African history. Williams reflects on his impactful BET Awards speech advocating for Black Lives Matter, along with how Shonda Rhimes defended him on Grey's Anatomy. He also offers insightful advice for biracial youth on embracing their identity, rounding out a discussion filled with laughter and inspiration.
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Philadelphia Music Renaissance
- Jesse Williams describes attending Temple during Philadelphia's late-90s musical renaissance with The Roots, Common, and D'Angelo performing everywhere.
- He recalls free shows, close-knit music scenes, and playing basketball under Coach Chaney as formative experiences.
Teach African History Often
- Teach African history to uplift students and counter narratives that reduce Black contributions to slavery.
- Jesse Williams says showing historical achievements changes students' posture and builds confidence.
History Undercuts The Con
- Williams argues Black inventions underpin everyday life and weaken white-supremacy narratives when taught.
- He frames accurate history as foundational, not merely feel-good revisionism.