An Evening with Arsenio Hall

Actor, Comedian, and Talk Show Host Arsenio Hall will discuss his new book, Arsenio: A Memoir, in conversation with City of Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb.

Each ticket ($30 + fees) includes event admission and a pre-signed copy of Arsenio: A Memoir.

Special thanks to Kevin Johnson and Connie Johnson for their generous support.

This event was made possible, in part, through the support of the Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation.

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Additional books will be available for purchase courtesy of Mac’s Backs – Books on Coventry.

For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations for individuals with hearing, visual or mobility impairments, please email [email protected].

All ticket purchases are non-refundable. If you have purchased a ticket and can no longer attend, email [email protected] by the event date to arrange book pickup at the CCPL branch of your choice.

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About the author:

Arsenio Hall holds a uniquely prominent place in American culture—celebrated late-night host and comedic actor, famed for starring roles in the cultural touchstones Coming to America and Harlem Nights.

Now, he pulls back the curtain and takes us to a different time in Hollywood. Iconic scenes include: starting out as a young magician in Cleveland; hosting his first talk show in the basement of his apartment building when he was in elementary school; cutting his teeth at the world-famous Comedy Store in Hollywood, learning about comedy and life from legendary comedian Richard Pryor; forming lifelong bonds with legendary icons Muhammad Ali, Luther Vandross, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Eddie Murphy; tasting superstar success with Coming to America, the film that preceded The Arsenio Hall Show; conducting unforgettable, groundbreaking interviews with Magic Johnson, Bill Clinton, Tupac Shakur, Maya Angelou, Madonna, and Minister Louis Farrakhan; rescuing a family from a home-fire with Jay Leno; sharing hot sauces and blackjack with Patti LaBelle; and chilling with Prince.

And then, he made the difficult decision to walk away.

This bracingly candid memoir offers a new appreciation for this raw talent and gifted storyteller, who nightly, for six years, hosted what felt like a televised “party” that changed the landscape of late-night television and brought Black culture into living rooms across America.

With this book, he does it one more time.

Arsenio Hall will be in conversation with Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Cleveland's 58th mayor, who is driving transformative change to modernize city services and uplift communities. His initiatives include the Southeast Side Promise program, a $100 million housing fund to expand affordable housing, and the RISE initiative, which reduced homicides by 36% and achieved record police recruitment.

Mayor Bibb is reconnecting Cleveland to its waterfronts with over $150 million for Lake Erie shoreline improvements and the $5 billion Shore-to-Core-to-Shore plan, fostering economic development and access. Nationally, he leads as president of the Democratic Mayors Association and co-chairs America is All In, promoting climate action and equity. Bibb is also a national co-chair of Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

A Mt. Pleasant native, Mayor Bibb holds degrees in Urban Studies, an MBA, and a JD, with studies in social policy at the London School of Economics. His leadership emphasizes equity, innovation, and opportunity citywide.

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Host or Publisher Cuyahoga County Public Library