Name: Brian Copeland's "Not A Genuine Black Man"
Start: 2026-01-25T19:00:00-08:00
Location: 529 S 2nd St, San Jose, CA, United States, California 95112

Brian Copeland's "Not A Genuine Black Man"

In 1971, Fair Housing advocates considered San Leandro one of the most racist suburbs in America. CBS aired a special on the situation. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights conducted hearings. The next year, eight-year-old Brian Copeland and his African-American family moved in.
In an evening of laughter, tears and sociology, Copeland’s acclaimed solo show "Not a Genuine Black Man" is a hilarious and insightful look at Bay Area history, and at the ways in which our upbringings make us who we are.
The longest-running solo show in Bay Area history, "Not a Genuine Black Man" celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. Copeland is thrilled to bring it back to City Lights for a rare San Jose performance — but finds it bittersweet that in 2025 the show is more relevant than ever. With the current administration’s actions against DEI, and books about the Black experience newly banned in schools, Copeland calls his show “my pushback on the war on diversity.” He says, “I’m not going to allow them to erase my story.”
"Not a Genuine Black Man" has brought Copeland critical acclaim as one of the Bay Area’s most talented and engaging solo performers. Copeland has also published a book based on the show, and will be signing and selling copies after the Jan. 25 performance. All the while, he and director Rob Reiner are currently developing the show for television.
“In a region where solo stage shows are performed with regularity, Black Man is the production to which all others must be judged. It’s that good, and that deeply ingrained in the theater scene.” - The Mercury News
Buy tickets by December 1, and you’ll pay $35 general and $30 for seniors, educators and students. On December 1, ticket prices go up to $40 / $35.
Parking and other info: Should you require accessible parking, email us or add a note to your order to reserve a spot in front of the glass doors. We will accommodate as many as possible. For everyone else, there’s free parking just a short walk away. The closest city lot is the First Street and I-280 Lot, under the freeway. Parking there is free on weekends and after 6 p.m. on weekdays. Get real-time parking info at parksj.org.
The theater is wheelchair-accessible; book the accessible & companion seats when buying tickets.