Joy is the one word that comes to top of mind when Yan Searcy, dean of California State University, Northridge’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, thinks about comedian, actor and entrepreneur Cedric the Entertainer.

“He’s one of the rare comedians who operates from a disposition of joy. Not trauma. Not tragedy. Joy,” Searcy said, explaining why he invited Cedric the Entertainer to be the featured speaker for this semester’s Salon Series. “He’s a person whose work seems to just come from joy. He finds joy in so many unexpected places and, in this particular time in U.S. history, I think it’s very important for us to talk about joy.”

The Salon Series is scheduled to take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Orchard Conference and Catering Center near the southern end of the campus located at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

The series is modeled after the Harlem Renaissance Salons of the 1920s and 1930s, which celebrated African American creativity in literature, music, art and social thought. The gatherings provided intimate settings for conversations on the arts, the future and racial solidarity.

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences’ Salon Series is designed to bring together friends, communities, alumni, faculty, staff and students for informative and sometimes provocative conversations and to support the creation of the Community Endowed Professorship in Africana Studies.

Cedric the Entertainer, whose real name is Cedric Antonio Kyles, traveled the country as one of the “Kings of Comedy” headliners with Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley and Bernie Mac. That act was later made into a Spike Lee film, “The Original Kings of Comedy.” He also has had starring roles in the “Barbershop” trilogy movie series, the “Madagascar” animated movie series, “The Steve Harvey Show” and “The Soul Man.” He is currently one of the stars of the television comedy series “The Neighborhood.”

Cedric the Entertainer has also launched a successful business enterprise. He has partnered with actor Anthony Anderson to create AC Barbeque, a BBQ brand that started with sauces and rubs and has since expanded to a restaurant in Westfield Century City, food trucks at HBCUs and collaborations with the fast-food chain Arby’s.

Searcy said one of the reason’s Cedric the Entertainer, who graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications, was invited to take part in The Salon Series was because of his strong commitment to education and his success as an entrepreneur and businessman.

“Cedric truly supports higher education. He’s a college graduate and understands the importance of an education,” Searcy said. “Humor is only one side of Cedric the Entertainer.

With the Salon Series, we have an opportunity to have interesting conversations with interesting people and expose the campus community, alumni and the community at large to positive people who are making a difference.”

Searcy noted that the Community Endowed Professorship in Africana Studies is designed to serve as an academic liaison with dedicated office hours to meet the needs of students as well as to become a role model and resource for members of the community at large.

The Salon Series was created in the spirit of this position, Searcy said.

“I think some our best college experiences come from being exposed to different ideas and different people that we can learn and benefit from,” he said.

For more information about The Salon Series or to purchase tickets, visit the event’s website.